English Language and Literature at Temple University

Temple's English program starts graduates at $28,914—trailing both the national and Pennsylvania medians—but demonstrates notable momentum with earnings jumping to $39,177 by year four. That 36% growth trajectory outpaces typical liberal arts trajectories and suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into higher-value roles after initial post-college positions. However, at the four-year mark, they're still earning roughly $1,000 less than what Pennsylvania graduates make on average just one year out.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $25,949, borrowing sits below the state median and in a favorable national percentile. This keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.90, meaning graduates face less than a year's salary in loans. The strong sample size confirms these aren't outlier results but reflect consistent outcomes across recent cohorts.

The reality is that Temple's English degree positions graduates well behind Pennsylvania's elite programs—Penn and Gettysburg graduates earn $40,000+ immediately—but the accessibility (83% admission rate, 30% Pell students) and reasonable debt load matter. For families prioritizing affordability over prestige, this program delivers solid career mobility from a modest starting point. Just recognize your child will likely need patience during those early career years while building toward better compensation.