English at Marshall University

Huntington, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,195/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #184 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 50%

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 $496K $495K $462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.9x 13.8x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.1x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,768
Out-of-state: $81,176 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$33,308
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,369
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,421
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Marshall University's English program produces graduates earning $30,195/yr — within striking distance of the $30,427 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.8x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,369 represents roughly 10 months of the $30,195 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #184 of 493 English programs, Marshall University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,421 show a 50% jump from the $30,195 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Marshall University

A 96% acceptance rate means Marshall University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 7,149 in Huntington, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Marshall 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 Marshall 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 Marshall University?
A score of 33/100 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 $462,389 in decade earnings vs $495,623 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →