English Language and Literature at Syracuse University

Syracuse's English program costs more than most NY alternatives while delivering earnings below the state median—ranking in just the 40th percentile among New York schools. That first-year salary of $25,860 barely clears the poverty line, and while the $55,862 four-year mark represents strong growth, you're still looking at a decade or more of debt repayment even with the relatively modest $26,750 loan burden.

The gap between Syracuse and top NY programs is striking: Colgate graduates earn nearly double ($48,008), and even mid-tier options like Nazareth ($36,200) start graduates $10,000 ahead. Given Syracuse's 42% acceptance rate and average SAT of 1351, families are paying selective-school prices without getting selective-school outcomes. The program performs marginally better than national benchmarks but trails both the New York state average and what comparable private universities deliver.

For families considering a private liberal arts education in New York, this means confronting a difficult calculus. If your child is set on Syracuse for campus culture or other programs, understand that the English major specifically underperforms the university's overall reputation. The debt load is manageable compared to many English programs nationally, but those first few years post-graduation will likely require financial support or a second income source to cover basic expenses while the career gains traction.