English at William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,573/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 8.5x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #311 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 $522K $518K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.6x 8.5x 7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.3x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,600
Out-of-state: $97,856 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,056
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,750
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,825
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $27,573/yr, English graduates from William Paterson University of New Jersey land near the $30,427 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 8.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,750 debt-to-$27,573 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #311 out of 493 programs, William Paterson University of New Jersey's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $27,573 to $47,825 over five years (73% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About William Paterson University of New Jersey

With 93% of applicants admitted, William Paterson University of New Jersey prioritizes broad access, enrolling 6,526 students in Wayne, NJ. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey →

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 William Paterson University of New Jersey

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does William Paterson University of New Jersey's English program score?
This program scores 27/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →