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English at Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,979/yr (38% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #164 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $487K $488K $457K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$269,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,984
73% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$49,206
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Amherst College English graduates command $41,979/yr out of the gate, well above the $30,427 national median. That 38% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 1.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in English's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

At #164 of 493 English programs, Amherst College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Amherst College

Only 10% of applicants gain admission to Amherst College, reflecting elite selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,907 in Amherst, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $72,984 — 73% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Amherst College →

Top Career Paths

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
Proofreaders and copy markers $49,210/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 493 schools offering English →

English at Other Schools

Georgetown University ($52,122) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($50,876) Monmouth University ($50,737) Brown University ($50,437) Northeastern University ($49,639) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($49,639) Bowdoin College ($49,421) Williams College ($49,340)

Other Majors at Amherst College

Computer Science ($100,596) Economics ($90,568) Mathematics ($78,500) Political Science and Government ($61,125) History ($56,444) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($49,322) Area Studies ($49,149) Research and Experimental Psychology ($45,786)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Amherst College?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $457,350 in decade earnings vs $487,265 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Amherst College a hidden gem for English?
After financial aid, the average student pays $72,984 over four years — 73% below the $269,120 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →