English Language and Literature at Stonehill College

Stonehill's English program punches well above its weight class, placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile within Massachusetts—a state with some of the country's strongest liberal arts colleges. With first-year earnings of $44,629, graduates earn nearly 50% more than the typical English major nationally and about $10,000 more than the Massachusetts median. They're earning roughly the same as graduates from College of the Holy Cross and approaching the levels of elite schools like Williams and Amherst.

The debt load of $24,737 is entirely manageable at just 0.55 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about seven months of gross income. Earnings also grow solidly to $52,006 by year four, suggesting graduates are building real career momentum rather than stalling in entry-level positions. For a program at a school with a 73% admission rate, these outcomes are exceptional.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could heavily influence these figures. Still, the consistency of strong earnings across both timeframes, combined with reasonable debt, suggests Stonehill is doing something right—whether through strong career services, alumni networks, or preparing students for higher-paying fields that value liberal arts training. For families worried about the practicality of an English degree, this program demonstrates it can lead to solid financial outcomes.