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English at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,563/yr (30% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 7.8x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #68 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	$498K	$497K	$464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.8x	7.8x	7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.4x	4.4x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	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)

$64,084

Out-of-state: $112,344 (4.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$75,984

-19% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,750

6.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,567

23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,563 put Illinois State University's English program 30% above the national median of $30,427 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

A 7.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some English career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,750 against $39,563/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Illinois State University ranks #68 among 493 English programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 23% earnings increase from $39,563 to $48,567 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Illinois State University

Illinois State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 18,414 students in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois 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 Illinois State 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 does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Illinois State University?

At 37/100, 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 Illinois State University?

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.

Is Illinois State University one of the best schools for English?

Among 493 English programs, Illinois State University's #68 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →