Best English Language and Literature, General Degrees in Pennsylvania by ROI
Colleges in Pennsylvania ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Pennsylvania
26
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$271,209
Across Pennsylvania programs
Average Annual Cost
$57,482
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bucknell University
Grad rate: 86.4% |
-$96,014 | $55,013 | $79,956 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$133,022 | $50,274 | $65,513 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 70.7% |
-$153,736 | $39,825 | $27,559 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Albright College
Grad rate: 45.6% |
-$172,224 | $42,265 | $44,381 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Lafayette College
Grad rate: 88.6% |
-$174,571 | $50,156 | $78,854 | $16,500 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Villanova University
Grad rate: 91.5% |
-$180,297 | $50,974 | $80,866 | $26,899 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$182,124 | $38,669 | $28,876 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Lehigh University
Grad rate: 90.2% |
-$186,704 | $49,498 | $77,515 | $19,707 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 44.8% |
-$191,606 | $39,116 | $24,369 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Washington & Jefferson College
Grad rate: 72.9% |
-$230,018 | $45,345 | $65,117 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Bryn Mawr College
Grad rate: 84.0% |
-$265,940 | $44,579 | $79,380 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Muhlenberg College
Grad rate: 81.6% |
-$275,798 | $44,789 | $73,782 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Gettysburg College
Grad rate: 82.2% |
-$276,237 | $46,072 | $80,400 | $26,724 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 66.2% |
-$279,814 | $34,788 | $24,781 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Duquesne University
Grad rate: 76.6% |
-$300,140 | $41,363 | $63,042 | $26,098 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best English Language and Literature, General Degrees by State
Browse English Language and Literature, General programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.