Bachelor's · Ann Arbor, Michigan

Is English Language and Literature, General at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor worth it?

High confidence High confidence: 100+ graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 4.5 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating: $38,750; Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating: $62,094; Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation: $16,577; NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families: $61k (likely $61k – $61k); AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4: $25k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in MI; 2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback: 4.5 years (likely 3.8–5.5); Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return: $11k (likely −$44k – $68k); Today's dollars
20-year net return: $327k (likely $199k – $474k); Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide): 93%; Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Borrowers making progress / in default, 2 years in: not reported / ≤ 10%; NSLDS AY2016-17, AY2017-18 pooled cohorts measured in 2018-19, 2019-20

Change income, residency or loans Compare English Language and Literature, General at other schools

🎬 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward media & storytelling majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Seminar

IB Higher Level

Language A: Literature HL or Language and Literature HL
Film HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Computer Engineering (Master's)$246,366
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's)$236,858
Law (First professional)$224,391
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's)$218,762
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's)$206,293
Dentistry (First professional)$176,961
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)$172,904
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's)$162,114
Systems Engineering (Master's)$152,353
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral)$147,335
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral)$145,758
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's)$144,654