English Language and Literature at Messiah University

The small sample size here is a real limitation, but the pattern is troubling enough to warrant serious concern. That $22,621 first-year salary falls in the 5th percentile nationally for English programs—meaning 95% of comparable programs produce better immediate outcomes. Even by Pennsylvania standards, where this program ranks at the 25th percentile, graduates are earning about $7,500 less than the state median for English majors.

The dramatic earnings growth—from $22,621 to $43,335 over four years—sounds impressive until you consider what it likely represents: many graduates probably start in low-wage jobs completely unrelated to their field before eventually finding better footing. That $26,000 debt load isn't catastrophic, sitting near the national median, but when you're earning just $22,621 initially, those loan payments will consume a significant portion of take-home pay for years. Compare this to University of Pennsylvania or Gettysburg College English grads who start at roughly $40,000—nearly double the initial earning power for similar debt loads.

If your child is passionate about English and specifically wants Messiah's faith-integrated approach, this program may still serve their broader goals. But financially speaking, they'd be starting from a significant disadvantage compared to peers at other Pennsylvania schools, even those with similar admission profiles. The limited sample size means these numbers could shift considerably, but the current data doesn't suggest a competitive employment outcome.