English Language and Literature at Wright State University-Main Campus

Wright State's English program outperforms most Ohio alternatives, placing in the 60th percentile statewide—a notable achievement given that many flagship and private liberal arts colleges fall behind. At $33,011 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $6,000 more than the typical Ohio English major, while carrying slightly less debt ($24,140 versus the state's $26,000 median). The debt load equals about 9 months of income, which is manageable for a humanities degree where starting salaries rarely crack $35,000.

The concerning trend is what happens next: earnings barely budge over the first four years, growing just 5% to $34,569. That's typical for English graduates who often need to pivot careers or pursue additional credentials to boost earning potential, but it means the initial advantage Wright State provides doesn't compound much. Still, starting ahead of peers matters—those extra $6,000 annually add up to $24,000 over four years.

For families comfortable with humanities degrees, this represents one of Ohio's better options. Your child would graduate with reasonable debt and earnings that exceed most in-state English programs. Just understand that meaningful salary growth likely requires strategic career moves beyond the bachelor's degree itself.