Bachelor's-20% vs national median389 grads tracked
English Language and Literature, General at Western Carolina University
Ranked 352nd of 370 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature, General by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$30,532
middle 50%: $23,249 – $40,309
Median · 5 years out
$41,624
middle 50%: $30,926 – $53,767
Median · 10 years out
$51,486
middle 50%: $38,554 – $64,050
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature, General (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
General English studies majors at Western Carolina University start with a $31k median salary. Ten-year median earnings are $51k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
10.1 yrs
≈ $12,192 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Montana (The)
$42,009 · 5 yrs out
Middle Georgia State University
$41,964 · 5 yrs out
Western Colorado University
$41,940 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southwestern State University
$41,887 · 5 yrs out
Eureka College
$41,766 · 5 yrs out
Bemidji State University
$41,695 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Kokomo
$41,424 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Louisiana University
$41,382 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine - Augusta
$41,154 · 5 yrs out
Bethany Lutheran College
$41,115 · 5 yrs out
Marshall University
$41,088 · 5 yrs out
Shawnee State University
$40,967 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out