Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $22,680/yr fall 25% below the $30,427 national median for English. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
An earnings multiple of 1.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.
AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $22,870 debt load exceeds a year of the $22,680 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
At #490 out of 493 programs, Mount Holyoke College's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $22,680 to $42,639 over five years (88% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.