Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $25,612/yr fall 16% below the $30,427 national median for English. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
At 7.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $25,500 debt-to-$25,612 income ratio translates to about 12 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #221 out of 493 programs, Mercy University's English offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $25,612 to $65,759 over five years (157% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.