English at Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,441/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #118 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 $484K $485K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.5x 14.5x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,424
Out-of-state: $109,864 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,296
-107% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,462
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,106
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,441/yr, roughly in line with the $30,427 national median for English. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,462 represents roughly 7 months of the $31,441 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #118 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $31,441 to $44,106 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Idaho State University

with a mid-sized student body of 7,260 in Pocatello, ID.

See all programs and financial aid at Idaho State 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 Idaho State University

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 Idaho State University?
A score of 35/100 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 $455,226 in decade earnings vs $483,741 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Idaho State University's English program stand out?
Ranked #118 of 493 programs nationally, Idaho State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →