English vs Communications

Both majors attract people who are good with words. Both involve reading and writing. Both lead to careers where communication skills are the core asset. But the actual experience of studying each subject is fundamentally different, and the career pipelines they feed are different too.

An English major's junior year might involve writing a 20-page analysis of narrative technique in Toni Morrison's novels. A communications major's junior year might involve producing a multimedia PR campaign for a real client, filming a short documentary, and managing a social media account for a campus organization. Both are developing communication skills, but in very different ways.

At a Glance

Coursework Differences

English coursework:

• Survey of American literature
• Survey of British literature
• Shakespeare or other period-specific courses
• Literary theory and criticism
• Creative writing workshops (fiction, poetry, nonfiction)
• Advanced seminars on specific authors, periods, or themes
• Senior thesis or capstone research project
• Electives in film studies, cultural studies, or comparative literature

English education is built around close reading and analytical writing. You learn to take apart how texts work: how language creates meaning, how narratives are structured, how arguments are constructed. The skills are deep and transferable, but the connection to specific careers is indirect. You become an exceptionally skilled reader, thinker, and writer. How you apply those skills professionally is largely up to you.

Communications coursework:

• Introduction to mass media and communication theory
• Public relations writing and campaigns
• Media production (video, audio, digital)
• Organizational communication
• Strategic communication or advertising
• Social media strategy and analytics
• Journalism or news writing
• Research methods in communication
• Internship (often required)

Communications education is more applied and production-oriented. You create professional-quality content across media formats. You learn how organizations communicate with audiences, how media channels work, and how to measure the effectiveness of communication campaigns. The connection to specific careers is direct and obvious.

Career Path Differences

English careers:

• Editor ($50,000-$80,000 depending on industry)
• Content strategist ($55,000-$85,000)
• UX writer/content designer ($70,000-$110,000 at tech companies)
• Technical writer ($78,060 median)
• Publishing professional (editorial assistant to editor, $35,000-$65,000)
• Teacher (with certification, varies by state)
• Lawyer (with JD)
• Copywriter ($50,000-$80,000)

Communications careers:

• Public relations specialist ($68,230 median)
• Social media manager ($50,000-$75,000)
• Corporate communications manager ($70,000-$110,000)
• Video producer ($55,000-$85,000)
• Journalist/reporter ($48,370 median)
• Marketing coordinator ($45,000-$60,000)
• Event planner ($56,920 median)
• Advertising account executive ($50,000-$70,000)

Communications provides a more direct path to specific careers because the skills are immediately applicable. English provides a more flexible foundation that works across a wider range of careers but requires more active career development from the student.

Salary Comparison

At the entry level, communications graduates tend to earn slightly more than English graduates because their skills map more directly to specific roles that employers are hiring for. PR specialists, social media managers, and marketing coordinators start in the $45,000-$55,000 range.

English graduates who enter traditional English-adjacent careers (publishing, teaching, journalism) start at $35,000-$50,000. However, English graduates who enter tech (as UX writers, content designers, or technical writers) can start at $65,000-$85,000, which exceeds most communications starting salaries.

Mid-career, the salary difference depends entirely on career path rather than major. Communications managers ($128,260 median for PR managers) and English graduates in corporate or tech roles ($78,060 for technical writers) both earn well¹². The degree is less important than the career you build with it.

Which Is Right for You?

Choose English if:

• You love reading deeply and analyzing how texts work
• You want to become an exceptional writer across multiple formats
• You are considering law school, graduate school, or teaching
• You value intellectual depth over immediate career applicability
• You enjoy creative writing (fiction, poetry, nonfiction)

Choose communications if:

• You want practical, career-ready skills in media production
• You are drawn to PR, social media, journalism, or corporate messaging
• You prefer producing content across media formats (video, audio, digital, print)
• You want coursework that directly mirrors professional work
• You value a clear career pipeline over academic exploration

Consider both if:

• You want the analytical depth of English with the applied skills of communications
• You are interested in content strategy, which requires both strong writing and strategic communication skills
• You have room in your schedule for a double major or a major-minor combination

For more on each degree, see our English degree guide and communications degree guide. For career details, see English careers and communications careers. Students comparing communications to marketing should also read our marketing vs communications comparison. Our guide on how to choose a major covers the broader decision.

FAQ

Which degree is more respected by employers?

It depends on the employer and the role. Media companies, agencies, and corporate communications departments actively value communications degrees. Publishing companies, law firms, and academic institutions value English degrees. In tech, both are respected for content and writing roles. Neither is universally "more respected" than the other.

Can English majors get PR jobs?

Yes, particularly if they develop portfolio samples that demonstrate PR-relevant writing (press releases, media pitches, campaign strategies). English majors bring superior writing quality, which PR firms value. The gap they need to bridge is in strategic communication planning and media production skills, which can be addressed through internships, electives, or self-study.

Is communications easier than English?

Strong communications programs are not easy; they require professional-quality content production to tight deadlines, which is a different kind of demanding than literary analysis. Weak communications programs can be less rigorous than English programs. The difficulty depends entirely on the specific program's quality and expectations. Neither is inherently easier when the programs are well-designed.

Which is better for becoming a writer?

For creative writing (fiction, poetry, essays), English is the stronger choice because of workshops, literary study, and engagement with the writing craft. For professional writing (journalism, PR, copywriting, content), communications provides more directly applicable training. For technical writing, English's precision and clarity training gives a slight edge.

Do I need a graduate degree with either major?

Not necessarily, but both majors have careers where graduate education opens new doors. For English: MFA for creative writing teaching, MA/PhD for academic careers, JD for law. For communications: MA for corporate communications management, MBA for marketing leadership. At the bachelor's level, both majors provide employable skills for many entry-level positions.

Which major has better job security?

Communications offers slightly more predictable job placement because the skills map directly to specific roles that organizations consistently need. English offers more career flexibility over a lifetime because the skills are broader and more transferable. Neither provides ironclad job security; both require active career management and continuous skill development.

Related degree guides:

• English Degree Guide — Overview, coursework, careers
• Communications Degree Guide — Overview, coursework, careers
• English Careers — Career paths and job data
• Communications Careers — Career paths and job data