English Language and Literature, General at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $13,896/yr (-54% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #372 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English Language and Literature, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $522K $518K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.5x 16.4x 15.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.5x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 24 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,652
Out-of-state: $79,172 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,668
-66% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,833
14.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,092
174% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $13,896 place California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt below the $30,427 national median for English Language and Literature, General — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English Language and Literature, General programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in English Language and Literature, General's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $16,833 against $13,896/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #372 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $38,092 show a 174% jump from the $13,896 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,491 in Arcata, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →

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 Language and Literature, General at Other Schools

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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 Language and Literature, General at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
A score of 24/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is English Language and Literature, General at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt worth the student debt?
Median debt of $16,833 against $13,896/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace English Language and Literature, General careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $478,365 in decade earnings vs $522,126 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English Language and Literature, General from California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →