The Decline of the English Major: Humanities in Crisis

For decades, the English department was the heart of the university experience. It was where students learned to deconstruct arguments, analyze culture, and write with precision. Today, that heart is beating faintly. As tuition costs soar and fears of economic instability rise, students are abandoning the humanities in record numbers. They are flocking toward “practical” degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and business, leaving literature and history departments to face unprecedented budget cuts and program closures.

The Numbers Behind the Exodus

The shift away from the humanities is not just anecdotal; the data is stark. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in English Language and Literature/Letters has dropped by roughly one-third since 2012. In the same period, computer and information science degrees have more than doubled.

This is a historic realignment. In the past, the English major was a safe haven for undecided students or those preparing for law school. Now, it is viewed as a financial risk. In 2011, humanities majors accounted for substantial portions of graduating classes at major state universities. By 2023, those numbers had dwindled to single-digit percentages at many institutions.

The decline is uneven but widespread. While elite institutions like Harvard or Yale can afford to maintain robust humanities departments regardless of enrollment due to massive endowments, regional public universities and smaller private colleges cannot. They operate on a tuition-driven model. If students do not sign up for Shakespeare, the university cannot afford to pay the professor who teaches it.

Universities Taking Drastic Action

The crisis has moved beyond enrollment statistics and into administrative boardrooms. Several high-profile universities have made headlines recently for slashing humanities programs to balance their budgets.

West Virginia University (WVU) became the flashpoint for this debate in late 2023. Facing a projected $45 million budget deficit, the university administration proposed cutting 32 programs and 169 faculty positions. The final cuts included the elimination of all foreign language majors and significant reductions in English and creative writing. The administration argued that they needed to pivot toward programs with higher market demand, such as forensics, engineering, and nursing.

Marymount University in Virginia took similar steps. In early 2023, the Board of Trustees voted to eliminate nine liberal arts majors, including English, history, mathematics, and philosophy. The university stated that these programs had low enrollment and that resources needed to be reallocated to growing fields like healthcare and technology.

Miami University in Ohio also faced restructuring, with administrators encouraging low-enrolled humanities departments to merge. The message across the board is consistent: programs must justify their existence through enrollment numbers and direct career pathways.

The ROI Calculation: Tuition vs. Salary

The primary driver of this trend is the rising cost of higher education. With the average cost of attendance at a four-year private university exceeding $50,000 annually, students and parents are treating college like an investment portfolio. They want a guaranteed Return on Investment (ROI).

When a student takes on $30,000 to $100,000 in student loan debt, the prospect of graduating into a low-paying job is terrifying. Federal Reserve data consistently shows that engineering and computer science graduates command the highest starting salaries, often starting at $70,000 or more. Conversely, humanities graduates often start with lower salaries and may require graduate degrees to achieve similar income levels.

This financial anxiety has led to a “career-first” mindset. Parents are increasingly steering their children away from “hobby” degrees. The cultural narrative suggests that an English degree leads to working as a barista, while a Business or Nursing degree leads to the middle class. While the long-term earnings of humanities graduates often catch up to their peers, the immediate post-graduation gap drives enrollment decisions.

The Loss of Soft Skills in a Tech World

While the economic logic for cutting humanities seems sound on a spreadsheet, many industry leaders worry about the long-term consequences. The decline of the English major means fewer graduates are entering the workforce with deep training in critical thinking, media literacy, and complex communication.

Tech giants and business leaders often cite “soft skills” as their biggest hiring gap. Writing code is essential, but so is the ability to write a clear email, argue a point of view, and understand the ethical implications of a product.

Interestingly, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) might swing the pendulum back slightly. As AI tools like ChatGPT automate basic coding and data entry tasks, the uniquely human ability to curate, edit, and understand nuance—skills honed in English seminars—may become more valuable. However, university enrollment trends have not yet reacted to this potential shift.

What Remains of the Humanities?

The English major is not disappearing entirely, but it is transforming. Departments that survive are often those that rebrand. Instead of pure “Literature,” universities are offering degrees in “Professional Writing,” “Digital Communications,” or “Technical Writing.” These labels signal job readiness to anxious parents and students.

Furthermore, many universities are pushing for interdisciplinary studies. A student might now double major in Computer Science and Philosophy, or Data Science and English. This hybrid approach attempts to provide the job security of STEM with the critical thinking foundation of the humanities.

For now, the trend remains downward. Until the cost of education decreases or the perceived value of a liberal arts education rises, the English major will likely continue to shrink, becoming a boutique offering rather than a cornerstone of the American university.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an English degree actually useless for finding a job? No. While starting salaries are lower than STEM fields, English majors have versatile skills. They often find careers in law, marketing, public relations, technical writing, and project management. The unemployment rate for English majors is generally comparable to the national average, though underemployment (working in jobs that don’t require a degree) can be higher initially.

Which universities have recently cut humanities programs? West Virginia University (WVU), Marymount University, and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are notable examples of schools that have recently cut or proposed cutting humanities majors like English, History, and Foreign Languages due to budget deficits and low enrollment.

Why are colleges cutting these departments? It is primarily financial. Public funding for universities has decreased, making them more reliant on tuition. If students do not enroll in specific majors, the university loses money on those departments. Administrators prioritize funding programs that attract students, which are currently STEM, business, and healthcare.

Do humanities graduates eventually catch up in salary? Data suggests the gap narrows over time. While engineers start high and plateau, humanities graduates often see steady wage growth as they move into management and leadership roles where communication and critical thinking are paramount. However, the initial debt burden can make the lower starting salary difficult to manage.