English Language and Literature at Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University's English program shows surprisingly strong earnings for humanities majors, but the sample size here demands serious caution. Graduates earn $33,893 in their first year—about $4,000 above the national median and $6,000 above Missouri's typical English grad. That puts them in the 71st percentile nationally and 60th percentile statewide, with only UMKC delivering higher earnings among Missouri English programs. By year four, earnings climb to $38,558, a 14% bump that suggests genuine career progression rather than the stagnation many humanities degrees face. The debt load of $26,546 translates to a 0.78 ratio against first-year earnings, which is manageable though not exceptional.

The problem is we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort. One or two outliers earning substantially more (or less) could dramatically shift these numbers. It's also worth noting SLU's 15% Pell Grant population is quite low, suggesting students here may have family resources that open doors regardless of major. The combination of selective admissions (average SAT of 1326) and a well-connected alumni network might be doing more work than the degree itself.

If your child is drawn to this program and you can afford it without excessive borrowing, the data here looks decent for an English degree. Just recognize you're betting on a small sample that may not represent your child's likely outcome.