Analysis
St. Mary's English program shows surprisingly strong outcomes given the small sample size—graduates earn $39,752 in year one, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally and well above the typical English graduate who earns around $30,000. However, that impressive national ranking looks more modest when considering just Texas schools, where these earnings land at the 60th percentile, suggesting that Texas English graduates generally fare better than the national average.
The $26,000 debt load is higher than the Texas median of $21,500 but manageable relative to earnings, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65. More encouraging: earnings grow to $47,033 by year four, an 18% increase that rivals some of the state's top English programs. That puts St. Mary's graduates within striking distance of Southern Methodist University outcomes, at a likely lower tuition cost.
The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in this data set, a few high earners could be skewing the picture dramatically. These numbers might not reflect what the typical student experiences. But if they hold true for your child, this program offers a relatively affordable path to above-average English degree outcomes—just understand you're making a decision with limited visibility into how consistent these results really are.
Where St. Mary's University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all english language and literature bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How St. Mary's University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Mary's University | $39,752 | $47,033 | +18% |
| Southern Methodist University | $47,019 | $65,722 | +40% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake | $50,876 | $49,368 | -3% |
| Texas Tech University | $26,518 | $49,332 | +86% |
| The University of Texas at Austin | $34,739 | $48,118 | +39% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
English Language and Literature bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (69 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 St. Mary's UniversitySan Antonio | $36,242 | $39,752 | $47,033 | $26,000 | 0.65 |
 University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston | $7,746 | $50,876 | $49,368 | $15,875 | 0.31 |
 Southern Methodist UniversityDallas | $64,460 | $47,019 | $65,722 | $19,500 | 0.41 |
 East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce | $10,026 | $43,470 | $37,497 | $13,407 | 0.31 |
 The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington | $11,728 | $40,718 | $45,154 | $23,613 | 0.58 |
 Texas A&M University-San AntonioSan Antonio | $9,548 | $39,152 | — | $19,000 | 0.49 |
| National Median | — | $29,967 | — | $24,529 | 0.82 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with english language and literature graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At St. Mary's University, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.