English Language and Literature at University of Houston-Victoria

The extremely small sample size here (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers more volatile than useful, but that $19,493 first-year salary demands attention. Even accounting for statistical noise, earning just 59% of the national median and ranking in the 10th percentile statewide suggests this program struggles to launch graduates into living-wage employment. The debt burden of $32,395—50% above both state and national medians—compounds the problem, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.66 that would take exceptional financial discipline to manage.

The 127% earnings jump to $44,230 by year four tells a more encouraging story, ultimately exceeding state medians. However, this recovery pattern may reflect graduates pivoting to careers unrelated to their English degree rather than the program itself building valuable skills. When comparable Texas schools like UT Arlington ($40,718) and East Texas A&M ($43,470) deliver stronger first-year outcomes with less debt, the path through UH-Victoria's English program looks unnecessarily rocky.

With such limited data, these figures could shift dramatically year to year. But if your student is set on an English degree in Texas, the combination of below-market starting salaries and above-market debt at this campus warrants exploring alternatives—particularly larger programs where outcomes data reflects broader trends rather than the circumstances of a handful of graduates.