English Language and Literature at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's English program defies the usual narrative about humanities degrees at open-access institutions. While the $30,000 debt is higher than 95% of English programs nationally—a real concern—graduates are out-earning their peers at a surprising clip. The first-year median of $35,487 beats 79% of English programs nationwide and exceeds even CU Denver's outcomes. By year four, that grows to $41,406, nearly $10,000 above the state median for English graduates.

The premium debt here buys something tangible: consistent income growth and competitive positioning in Colorado's job market. These graduates rank in the 60th percentile statewide despite Metro State's 99% acceptance rate, suggesting the program is effectively preparing students for Denver's media, education, and professional services sectors. The 0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio means students owe less than one year's salary—manageable territory for a humanities degree, though not exactly comfortable.

For families weighing this program, the question becomes whether that extra $5,500 in debt (compared to the state median) is worth the earnings advantage. Given the solid growth trajectory and Metro State's access mission serving a substantial Pell-eligible population, this program appears to deliver reasonable returns. Just ensure your student understands they're taking on slightly more debt than typical for an English degree, even if the earnings justify it.