English Language and Literature, General at Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,933/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #282 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 $465K $469K $444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.7x 8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.4x 7.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 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)
$53,612
Out-of-state: $63,516 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,372
-5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,348
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,363
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $31,933/yr, English Language and Literature, General graduates from Eastern Illinois University land near the $30,427 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,348 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,933 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #282 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, Eastern Illinois University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $31,933 to $41,363 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 4,398 students in Charleston, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Illinois 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 Language and Literature, General at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English Language and Literature, General at Eastern Illinois University?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $443,979 in decade earnings vs $465,086 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →