English at Northeastern University Professional Programs

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,639/yr (63% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
Ranked #23 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 5%

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 $517K $514K $475K
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,709
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,639 put Northeastern University Professional Programs's English program 63% above the national median of $30,427 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $49,639 far exceeding the $21,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #23 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $53,709 are relatively flat compared to the $49,639 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Northeastern University Professional Programs

a compact campus enrolling 1,674 students in Boston, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern University Professional Programs →

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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Northeastern University Professional Programs?
A score of 42/100 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 $475,150 in decade earnings vs $516,792 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Northeastern University Professional Programs's English program stand out?
Ranked #23 of 493 programs nationally, Northeastern University Professional Programs lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →