English Language and Literature at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

UNH's English program outperforms three-quarters of similar programs nationally, with first-year graduates earning $34,563—well above the national median of $29,967. The debt load of $26,697 is actually lower than typical for humanities programs, resulting in a manageable 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio. Within New Hampshire, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, trailing only Dartmouth and Keene State but matching UNH Manchester and beating Southern New Hampshire.

The 25% earnings growth to $43,214 by year four is encouraging for a humanities degree, suggesting graduates find paths to career progression. However, Dartmouth's English majors start at $45,157—above where UNH graduates land after four years—highlighting the premium selective institutions command even in traditionally lower-paying fields. That said, UNH's 87% admission rate makes it accessible to far more students.

For families willing to invest roughly $27,000 in debt for a liberal arts education, UNH delivers solid value. Your child won't be among the highest earners in their cohort, but they'll start ahead of most English majors nationally and see meaningful salary growth. The key question is whether the premium over Southern New Hampshire's program (which costs similar debt but earns $4,000 less initially) justifies UNH's flagship status. The data suggests it does.