Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $26,476 track close to the $30,427 national median for English programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $21,278 represents roughly 10 months of the $26,476 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #368 of 493 English programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $44,483 show a 68% jump from the $26,476 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.