English Language and Literature at Tufts University

Tufts' English program produces graduates who earn more than three-quarters of English majors nationally, yet leave with remarkably low debt—less than 95% of comparable programs across the country. With just $14,670 in median debt against $34,689 in first-year earnings, students face a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they owe less than half their starting salary. For a selective liberal arts program at a prestigious institution, this represents genuine financial accessibility.

The earnings picture tells an interesting story. While Tufts English grads match the Massachusetts median exactly, they significantly outpace the $29,967 national benchmark. Yes, some Massachusetts programs—particularly Northeastern and the elite liberal arts colleges—produce higher earners, but those likely reflect different career paths or graduate school trajectories rather than program quality. What matters here is that Tufts students aren't paying a premium in debt for their degree; in fact, they're borrowing roughly half what the typical Massachusetts English major does ($26,684 state median).

For families concerned about liberal arts degrees, this is what responsible program design looks like: competitive outcomes without crushing debt. The low borrowing burden gives graduates genuine flexibility to pursue graduate school, competitive internships, or lower-paying but meaningful first jobs without immediate financial pressure. That freedom has real value, even if it doesn't show up in year-one salary data.