English at Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,282/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #19 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 $567K $557K $506K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.3x 17.0x 15.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 6.9x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,760
Out-of-state: $80,280 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,204
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,375
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,586
78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,282 track close to the $30,427 national median for English programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 17.0x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,375 debt-to-$31,282 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #19 out of 493 programs, Sonoma State University's English program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $31,282 to $55,586 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Sonoma State University

Sonoma State University has a 95% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 5,374 in Rohnert Park, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma State University's English program score?
This program scores 42/100 — 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 does Sonoma State University rank so high for English?
The #19 ranking out of 493 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →