English Language and Literature at University of Missouri-Kansas City

At just above $32,000 in first-year earnings, UMKC's English program outperforms 60% of similar programs in Missouri—a meaningful distinction in a state where the typical English graduate starts at $27,500. While these aren't transformative salaries, the program edges past both state and national medians, putting graduates on slightly firmer financial footing than most of their peers.

The debt picture looks manageable relative to earnings potential. At $24,125, graduates carry typical debt for an English degree, translating to a 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio. Four-year earnings climb to nearly $35,000, representing modest but steady 9% growth. This trajectory won't dramatically change the financial equation, but it does suggest graduates find reasonably stable work rather than facing declining prospects.

For parents weighing this investment, recognize that English degrees broadly don't deliver high immediate returns. However, UMKC's program performs better than alternatives like Drury ($26,000) and matches what you'd expect from more selective options like Truman State. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these figures are reasonably reliable, though not rock-solid. If your student is committed to English literature, this program delivers marginally better outcomes than most Missouri options without excessive debt—but the career path itself requires accepting that early earnings will be modest regardless of where they attend.