English at Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,376/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #265 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 $607K $592K $529K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.3x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$257,280
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$100,032
61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,925
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,206
67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Wellesley College's English program earn $38,376/yr in their first year — 26% above the $30,427 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 2.3x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $10,925 in median debt against $38,376 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #265 out of 493 programs, Wellesley College's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $38,376 to $64,206 over five years (67% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Wellesley College

Wellesley College admits 14% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a smaller institution with 2,318 students in Wellesley, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $100,032 — 61% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wellesley College →

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 Wellesley College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wellesley College's English program score?
This program scores 29/100 — 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.
How affordable is English at Wellesley College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $257,280, but the average net cost is $100,032 — a 61% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →