English Language and Literature at Randolph-Macon College

Randolph-Macon's English program shows one of the lowest debt loads you'll find—$26,922 versus a national median of $24,529, placing it in just the 8th percentile for borrowing. That's genuinely impressive. But first-year earnings of $27,110 lag behind both the Virginia median ($31,715) and national average ($29,967), ranking in the 40th percentile statewide. This creates a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio right out of college, though manageable compared to many humanities programs.

The trajectory improves significantly: earnings jump 67% by year four to $45,162, suggesting graduates who stick with career development see real gains. However, even that strong growth leaves them below top Virginia programs like William & Mary ($40,697 first-year) and UVA ($40,092). The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means a few outliers could be skewing these numbers either direction.

For families prioritizing affordability in a liberal arts English program, the low debt burden is the standout feature. But recognize you're accepting below-average starting earnings in Virginia's market, betting on longer-term career development to close the gap. If your child is considering graduate school or careers where the English degree is just a foundation, this might work. If they need strong immediate earnings to manage loans or support themselves, the first-year numbers present real challenges.