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English at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,045/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #324 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	$506K	$505K	$469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.6x	10.6x	9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.8x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	26	26	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,600

Out-of-state: $132,800 (3.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,600

-86% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

10.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,593

78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Alabama's English graduates start at $25,045/yr, trailing the $30,427 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.6x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$25,045 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #324 out of 493 programs, The University of Alabama's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,045 to $44,593 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About The University of Alabama

A 76% acceptance rate means The University of Alabama is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 32,323 students in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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 The University of Alabama

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 The University of Alabama's English program score?

This program scores 26/100 — 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 are English earnings lower at The University of Alabama?

Lower starting pay at The University of Alabama 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 →