English Language and Literature at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's English program carries a significant caveat: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing dramatically with just a few data points. That said, the pattern here tells an interesting story about in-state value. While this program ranks in just the 24th percentile nationally—meaning three-quarters of English programs across the country see higher early earnings—it actually outperforms most Mississippi English programs, landing in the 60th percentile statewide. First-year earnings of $25,651 beat the state median by about $600, and they're roughly on par with Ole Miss.

The debt picture is reasonable at $21,500, coming in below both state and national medians. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84, graduates are borrowing less than one year's salary—manageable for a humanities degree. The encouraging part is the earnings trajectory: that 48% jump to $37,888 by year four suggests graduates are finding their footing and moving into better-paying roles, though it takes time to get there.

For Mississippi families keeping their student in-state, this represents a middle-of-the-road option that won't bury graduates in debt. Just remember that small sample size means next year's data could look quite different. The real question is whether your student has a specific career path in mind that justifies any English degree's modest early earnings, regardless of which Mississippi school they choose.