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English at CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,290/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (9.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #37 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 10%

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 $576K $565K $511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.1x 18.7x 16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.3x 9.1x 8.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,152
Out-of-state: $61,952 (9.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$15,320
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,941
94% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,290/yr, English graduates from CUNY Queens College land near the $30,427 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some English career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $7,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #37 of 493 programs, this English program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $28,290-to-$54,941 earnings arc over five years reflects a 94% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About CUNY Queens College

CUNY Queens College accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 13,060 students in Queens, NY. With 48% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $15,320 over four years — 49% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY Queens 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 CUNY Queens College

Computer Science ($63,632) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($58,894) Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language ($48,923) Finance and Financial Management Services ($45,168) Accounting and Related Services ($45,158) Urban Studies/Affairs ($42,995) Economics ($39,377) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($37,654)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at CUNY Queens College?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring English programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study English at CUNY Queens College?
The 61% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →