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English at Oberlin College

Oberlin, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $19,734/yr (-35% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 1.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #414 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	$366K	$383K	$384K
Earnings Multiple	1.4x	1.5x	1.5x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	22	20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$258,584

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$156,736

39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,567

15.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $19,734/yr fall 35% below the $30,427 national median for English. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

An earnings multiple of 1.5x 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 -5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,567 debt load exceeds a year of the $19,734 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #414 out of 493 programs, Oberlin College's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Oberlin College

Oberlin College admits 33% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a smaller student body of 2,950 in Oberlin, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $156,736 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Oberlin College →

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 Oberlin College

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 Oberlin College's English program score?

This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Oberlin College English graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 Oberlin College?

Lower starting pay at Oberlin College 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 →