English at Salem State University

Salem, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,844/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #201 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 50%

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 $485K $486K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.1x 10.1x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.4x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 32 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,912
Out-of-state: $75,844 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,764
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,250
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,760
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Salem State University's English graduates start at $32,844/yr — above the $30,427 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,250 represents roughly 10 months of the $32,844 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #201 of 493 English programs, Salem State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $32,844 to $44,760 over five years — a 36% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Salem State University

A 96% acceptance rate means Salem State University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 4,286 students in Salem, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem 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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Salem State University?
A score of 32/100 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 $456,086 in decade earnings vs $485,169 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →