English Language and Literature at William & Mary

William & Mary's English program stands among the strongest in Virginia and the nation for post-graduation earnings, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in-state. At $40,697 in first-year earnings—jumping to $51,194 by year four—graduates earn nearly $10,000 more than their Virginia peers and $11,000 above the national median for English majors. The program edges out UVA and Virginia Tech in initial earnings, a meaningful distinction at this selective institution.

The debt picture reinforces this advantage. At $19,500, graduates carry about $4,000 less debt than typical Virginia English majors and $5,000 less than the national median. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48—manageable by any standard for a humanities degree. The combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt is rare in English programs.

For families weighing an English major, William & Mary delivers substantially better financial outcomes than most alternatives. The 26% earnings growth through year four suggests graduates are finding professional traction, not simply taking entry-level positions indefinitely. While the moderate sample size warrants some caution, the pattern is clear: if your child wants to study literature at a competitive program, this one produces results that justify the investment far more than most English degrees.