Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $23,868 track close to the $23,375 national median for Literature programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 6.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $23,868 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
With only 8 programs offering Literature nationally, this is a niche field. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ranks #3 among them.
Earnings growth from $23,868 to $51,146 over five years (114% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.