English Degree vs Communications Degree: Which Is More Employable

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English and communications degrees overlap on writing, but they lead to different careers and send different signals to employers. Choosing between them depends on whether you prefer literary depth or media-industry applied work.

English vs communications: focus and employability

At-a-Glance Comparison

DimensionEnglish DegreeCommunications DegreeCore focusLiterature, writing, analysisMedia, PR, messaging, rhetoricWriting intensityHeavy literary and analyticHeavy applied and persuasiveIndustry fitPublishing, education, law prepPR, marketing, media, corporateGraduate pathsMA/PhD English, MFA, JDMBA, MA Communications, PREntry pay range$45,000–$60,000$48,000–$65,000

English Degree: Curriculum, Time, and Cost

English degrees emphasize close reading, analytical writing, and literary tradition. Strong preparation for publishing, journalism, teaching, technical writing, and law school — careers that reward sustained reading and clear prose.

The degree is also one of the best pre-law preparations because it trains the reading-and-arguing discipline that law school demands. Technical writing and editorial careers remain stable paid destinations.

Communications Degree: Curriculum, Time, and Cost

Communications degrees focus on media, messaging, public relations, and rhetoric in applied contexts. Coursework often includes media production, PR writing, campaign strategy, and increasingly digital and social media.

The degree lands more directly in PR, marketing, and corporate communications roles, making it slightly more employable for students who don't want to teach, write for publishing, or attend grad school.

Career Outcomes and Pay

Role / OutcomeMedian pay (BLS May 2024)Better fitEditor / publishing$62,000EnglishTechnical writer$80,050EnglishPR specialist$69,780CommunicationsMarketing specialist$72,000Communications

When to Choose English Degree

You want publishing, editing, or teaching
You may attend law school or MFA
You enjoy literature and sustained reading
You're drawn to technical writing as a career

When to Choose Communications Degree

You want PR, marketing, or corporate communications
You enjoy applied media and persuasion
You want direct industry employment after graduation
You're drawn to campaign and digital work

Common Misconceptions

'English degrees are unemployable' — technical writing and editing pay well
'Communications is an easier English' — they train different skills
'Both are interchangeable' — career outcomes diverge meaningfully

Key Takeaways

English is stronger for publishing, teaching, and law school prep
Communications is stronger for PR, marketing, and media industry
Both majors support strong writing careers with different flavors

Sources

BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024

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Conclusion

Neither degree is objectively better — they train different professional skills. Career target should drive the choice, and in both cases internships do more for employability than the major alone.