Median Earnings (1yr)
$35,038
77th percentile
60th percentile in Texas
Median Debt
$20,247
17% below national median

Analysis

University of Dallas graduates with English degrees earn $35,038 in their first year—significantly above both the national median ($29,967) and the Texas state median ($32,990). While this places them around the 60th percentile within Texas, it outperforms roughly three-quarters of English programs nationwide. The manageable debt load of $20,247 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, meaning graduates can expect to earn nearly twice their debt in their first year. This is particularly impressive given that the typical English program nationally saddles students with $24,529 in debt.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth to $37,754 by year four, though this still falls well short of what graduates from UT Arlington or SMU can expect. However, the comparison matters less than the fundamentals: your child would graduate with below-average debt and above-average earning power for an English major. The 54% admission rate and solid SAT scores (1284) suggest a reasonably selective environment without the crushing debt often associated with similar private universities.

For families concerned about the financial viability of an English degree, University of Dallas offers a notably better starting position than most alternatives. The debt is manageable enough to pay down quickly, and the earnings advantage over typical English programs provides real financial breathing room.

Where University of Dallas Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all english language and literature bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Dallas graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Dallas$35,038$37,754+8%
Southern Methodist University$47,019$65,722+40%
University of Houston-Clear Lake$50,876$49,368-3%
Texas Tech University$26,518$49,332+86%
The University of Texas at Austin$34,739$48,118+39%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

English Language and Literature bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (69 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of DallasIrving$50,880$35,038$37,754$20,2470.58
University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston$7,746$50,876$49,368$15,8750.31
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas$64,460$47,019$65,722$19,5000.41
East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce$10,026$43,470$37,497$13,4070.31
The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington$11,728$40,718$45,154$23,6130.58
St. Mary's UniversitySan Antonio$36,242$39,752$47,033$26,0000.65
National Median$29,967$24,5290.82

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with english language and literature graduates

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Dallas, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 37 graduates with reported earnings and 48 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.