English at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,651/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #310 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $490K $490K $459K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.5x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.6x 4.6x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,260
Out-of-state: $106,320 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,004
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,693
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,651/yr fall 16% below the $30,427 national median for English. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 12.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,750 debt-to-$25,651 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #310 out of 493 programs, Mississippi State University's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,651 to $42,693 over five years (66% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University has a 76% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 18,092 in Mississippi State, MS.

See all programs and financial aid at Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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

How does Mississippi State University's English program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is English to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' English careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are English earnings lower at Mississippi State University?
Lower starting pay at Mississippi State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →