To date, we’ve asked 20 current and past english language and literature students about their happiness with their degree. Turns out, they rate it above average.

There are thousands of majors available, and it can be overwhelming trying to choose one.

To help you reach the decision that is right for you, we asked students who have pursued a english language and literature degree to respond to questions concerning five dimensions of the educational track they chose:

  • Course material: Were they interested in the material they learned?
  • Intellectual fulfillment: Did they find the coursework intellectually stimulating?
  • Job prospects: Did they leave the program with job opportunities?
  • Personality: Was the degree a good fit for their personality?
  • Overall fit: Were they happy with the program overall?

We examined their responses and combined the rankings to give us an average satisfaction score across all students. This doesn't necessarily reflect how satisfied you would be with a english language and literature degree, but it’s a starting point to help you evaluate your options.

DegreeAvg Grad SalarySatisfaction
English Language and Literature$61,726

Let's break that down further.

Are english language and literature students satisfied with what they’re learning?

We asked students about their satisfaction with their course material and overall intellectual fulfillment. Here’s what they said:

We asked graduates how interesting they found the course material to be. Their response was:
4.5 out of 5 stars
20 ratings
5 stars
65%
4 stars
25%
3 stars
10%
2 stars
0%
1 stars
0%
We asked graduates how intellectually fulfilling they found the degree. Their response was:
4.1 out of 5 stars
510 ratings
5 stars
45%
4 stars
30%
3 stars
17%
2 stars
5%
1 stars
3%

These ratings are meant to give you an indication about what other people enrolled in english language and literature experienced. While their input is useful, keep in mind that different people have had vastly different experiences, all of which were impacted by their personal motivations, professors, and specific curriculum. Always keep your own goals at the center of your decision-making process when it comes to something as significant as your education.

Did english language and literature graduates leave school with good job prospects?

Of course, working towards a degree is also about pursuing your desired career. Here’s what english language and literature grads had to say about their job prospects:

We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their job prospects. Their response was:
2.8 out of 5 stars
499 ratings
5 stars
9%
4 stars
16%
3 stars
34%
2 stars
27%
1 stars
12%

These responses represent a wide range of opinions. Things like extracurricular activities, internships and work placements can set you up for success after graduation.

Were english language and literature students happy with their degree overall?

This rating takes into account all factors: how demanding the program is, whether graduates felt it was worthwhile, and how fulfilling they found their educational experience.

We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their degree as a whole. Their response was:
3.9 out of 5 stars
20 ratings
5 stars
55%
4 stars
10%
3 stars
20%
2 stars
0%
1 stars
15%

As you consider this information and input from others, remember above all that your choice should be based on your interests, goals, passions, and abilities. Consider the future and give yourself time. If you’re feeling unsure, click here to take our career assessment and see what path could be right for you.

Overview

Discover what you’ll learn—and what you can do after you graduate.

Read about Overview