English Language and Literature at University of San Francisco

The small sample size here demands caution, but the trajectory is striking: USF's English graduates start at $35,468 and jump to $57,848 by year four—a 63% increase that suggests this program opens doors beyond typical entry-level humanities roles. That places it in the 80th percentile among California English programs, where the state median sits at just $25,749. You're paying Bay Area tuition prices but getting outcomes that significantly outperform the state average.

The $26,000 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings, though it's worth noting this sits above California's median for English programs. The real story is where graduates are four years out. At nearly $58,000, these alumni are earning 125% more than the typical California English major at that stage. Whether this reflects USF's career services, its San Francisco network, or simply selection effects with fewer than 30 graduates in the sample is impossible to say with certainty.

For parents worried about the classic "English major" narrative, this data tells a different story—at least for this cohort. The debt is reasonable, the starting salary exceeds national norms, and the four-year earnings suggest graduates are finding their footing professionally. Just remember the sample size means one strong cohort could skew these numbers dramatically.