English Language and Literature, General at University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,727/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #330 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 Language and Literature, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $477K $479K $451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.5x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.4x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 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)
$50,424
Out-of-state: $141,384 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,180
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,127
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,727/yr, roughly in line with the $30,427 national median for English Language and Literature, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in English Language and Literature, General's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,250 represents roughly 10 months of the $28,727 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #330 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, University of Maine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $28,727 to $42,127 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Maine

University of Maine accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 8,341 in Orono, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maine →

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 Language and Literature, General at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English Language and Literature, General at University of Maine?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English Language and Literature, General careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $450,915 in decade earnings vs $476,589 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →