English Language and Literature at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's English program contradicts much of the doom-and-gloom narrative about humanities degrees. While graduates start at $25,477—below both the national median and barely above California's—they reach $46,511 by year four, an 83% jump that signals strong career momentum after that difficult first year or two. The exceptionally low debt load of $13,900 (5th percentile nationally) is crucial here: it keeps the post-graduation squeeze manageable and preserves graduates' ability to take exploratory jobs or unpaid internships that can lead somewhere better.

The program ranks in the 40th percentile among California English programs—middle of the pack in a competitive state. Davis can't compete with Chapman's $40,000+ salaries, but it dramatically outpaces the typical California English graduate by year four while charging substantially less in debt. For a UC education with this growth trajectory, that tradeoff works for most families.

The catch is patience. That first year's earnings will feel tight, and graduates should expect to lean on side jobs or family support initially. But if your child can weather 1-2 years of career-building, this program delivers solid mid-career prospects at minimal financial risk. For students genuinely committed to English—not just unsure about their major—this represents reasonable value.