English Language and Literature at Wofford College

Wofford's English program quietly outperforms most competitors in South Carolina, with first-year earnings of $34,478 placing it ahead of larger state schools like College of Charleston and USC-Aiken. More impressive is what happens after graduation: earnings jump 57% by year four to reach $54,078, suggesting the program's liberal arts foundation and Wofford's alumni network translate into genuine career mobility. Among South Carolina's 32 English programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—solidly above the state median of $28,219.

The debt picture is manageable at $25,941, with a 0.75 ratio to first-year earnings that's reasonable for a humanities degree. This sits right at the national median for English programs, which means students aren't paying a premium for Wofford's outcomes. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) is worth noting but doesn't undermine the overall pattern.

For families weighing a small liberal arts college against larger state schools, Wofford delivers measurably better outcomes in both starting salary and career trajectory. The 57% earnings growth over four years is particularly notable for an English degree, where career paths can be less linear. If your child is drawn to Wofford's tight-knit academic environment, the financial case supports that choice—this isn't a situation where you're sacrificing outcomes for fit.