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English at Bowdoin College

Brunswick, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $49,421/yr (62% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 2.0x earnings multiple

Ranked #70 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 25%

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	$528K	$523K	$482K
Earnings Multiple	2.0x	2.0x	1.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$259,640

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$83,144

68% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

At $49,421 per year, English graduates from Bowdoin College significantly outpace the $30,427 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The financial case is thin at 2.0x — 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

At #70 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Bowdoin College

With just 8% of applicants admitted, Bowdoin College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a compact campus enrolling 1,846 students in Brunswick, ME. The average net cost of $83,144 over four years represents a 68% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bowdoin 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

English at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bowdoin College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Bowdoin College?

A score of 37/100 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 $481,829 in decade earnings vs $527,871 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Bowdoin College's English program stand out?

Ranked #70 of 493 programs nationally, Bowdoin College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is Bowdoin College a hidden gem for English?

After financial aid, the average student pays $83,144 over four years — 68% below the $259,640 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 →