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English at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,270/yr (9% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #293 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 graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$682K	$657K	$575K
Earnings Multiple	2.6x	2.5x	2.2x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	28	21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,056

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$129,348

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,300

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,443

112% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,270 at Cornell University come in 9% above the national median of $30,427 for English programs.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — 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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $33,270 far exceeding the $16,300 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #293 of 493 English programs, Cornell University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $70,443 show a 112% jump from the $33,270 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Cornell University

Cornell University's 8% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, enrolling 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell University →

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 Cornell University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Cornell University?

A score of 28/100 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 $574,874 in decade earnings vs $682,212 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Cornell University a hidden gem for English?

After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 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 →