English Language and Literature at The University of the South

Sewanee's English program produces graduates who earn modestly above state and national averages, though at the cost of debt levels that rank in the 74th percentile nationally. With first-year earnings of $31,218, graduates out-earn the typical Tennessee English major by about $2,500 annually and outpace the national median as well. Among Tennessee's 36 English programs, this places Sewanee in the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack, though trailing Austin Peay and Vanderbilt by meaningful margins.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 is reasonable, with graduates carrying $21,175 in debt against those first-year wages. What's encouraging is the 25% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $39,000—suggesting graduates are finding professional footing after initial entry-level positions. This growth trajectory helps offset what might otherwise feel like a steep sticker price for a selective liberal arts college (average SAT: 1336).

For a family weighing Sewanee's intimate campus experience and academic reputation against in-state alternatives, the calculation hinges on how much that environment matters. The earnings premium over Tennessee's median isn't dramatic enough to justify the investment on financial grounds alone. If your student thrives in small, intellectually rigorous settings and you can manage the debt load comfortably, Sewanee delivers a respectable outcome. But if cost is a primary concern, similar or better earnings are available at less selective Tennessee schools with likely lower total costs.