CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · Easton, Pennsylvania

Is English Language and Literature, General at Lafayette College worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

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

Pays back slowly: graduates typically recover the cost in about 11 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
$43,290
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$56,982
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$15,000
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$152k (likely $152k – $159k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$19k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in PA
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
11 years (likely 7.5–20+)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
−$182k (likely −$293k – −$68k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$54k (likely −$173k – $315k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
85%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

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 Lafayette College

English Language and Literature, General at other schools in Pennsylvania