English & Literature
Students study specialized areas of English studies that may include professional writing, digital humanities, literary editing, or comparative literature approaches. Graduates typically pursue careers in content creation, editorial work, technical communication, digital media, and education. This flexible category allows students to pursue emerging intersections of writing, technology, and communication.
What English & Literature graduates do
With this specialized English degree, your most direct career path is in academia as a postsecondary teacher, which requires an advanced degree like a Master’s or PhD. Your work will involve designing courses on literature and composition, guiding classroom discussions on complex texts, and providing detailed feedback on student essays. You’ll also conduct your own research and publish scholarly work to progress from an entry-level lecturer to a tenured professor.
This is a highly competitive field with stagnant growth, meaning new tenure-track positions are scarce and typically open only when someone retires. The path is challenging, but rewarding for those passionate about scholarship and mentorship. AI will also reshape the role. With moderate exposure, you can expect AI tools to automate routine tasks like initial grammar checks on student work or helping you brainstorm lesson plans. This doesn't replace you; it shifts your focus to the uniquely human aspects of teaching: fostering critical debate, evaluating nuanced arguments, and mentoring students’ intellectual development. Adaptability is key.
If English & Literature isn't the right fit, programs like Literature and Natural Resources & Conservation draw from adjacent disciplines.
Where English & Literature graduates work
Common career paths for English & Literature graduates, with median salaries, projected growth, and AI exposure per role. Roughly 5,100 combined openings per year across these roles.
| Role | Median Pay | Annual Openings | 10-yr Growth | AI Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
|
$78,270
$60K–$104K
|
5,100 | 0.0% | High · 53% |
Best schools for English & Literature
Schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score (earnings × AI resilience × ROI × job-market size). Top 10 of 16.
| # | School | DW Score | 1-yr Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 |
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT · Private nonprofit
|
23 | $34,871 | 1.6x |
| 6 |
Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, OH · Public
|
22 | $24,239 | 8.8x |
| 7 |
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH · Public
|
22 | $24,239 | 8.8x |
| 8 |
Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH · Public
|
22 | $24,239 | 8.8x |
| 9 |
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH · Public
|
22 | $24,239 | 8.8x |
| 10 |
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public
|
22 | $24,239 | 8.8x |
| 11 |
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
|
21 | $33,300 | 0.4x |
| 12 |
Emmanuel College
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
|
21 | $32,451 | 0.7x |
| 13 |
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
|
20 | $21,788 | 7.2x |
| 14 |
Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH · Public
|
18 | $24,239 | 3.4x |
| 15 |
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
|
18 | $21,591 | 3.9x |
| 16 |
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY · Private nonprofit
|
18 | $17,237 | -0.3x |
Highest Earnings Top 5
| Empire State University
NY |
$48,651 |
| Suffolk University
MA |
$41,252 |
| Rowan University
NJ |
$40,921 |
| Middlebury College
VT |
$34,871 |
| Drexel University
PA |
$33,300 |
Best ROI Top 5
| Empire State University
NY |
17.9x |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills
CA |
13.3x |
| Ohio University-Eastern Campus
OH |
8.8x |
| Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
OH |
8.8x |
| Ohio University-Southern Campus
OH |
8.8x |
Related majors
Similar fields of study often offered alongside English & Literature.
Frequently asked about English & Literature
What do English & Literature graduates make in their first year?
First-year earnings for English & Literature graduates average $29,011 annually, based on data from 16 programs. The range spans $17,237 at the low end to $48,651 at the top.
How exposed is English & Literature to AI disruption?
AI exposure for English & Literature is rated "Very High." With 59% of tasks potentially affected by large language models, most career functions face meaningful automation pressure in the coming decade.
What's the top-ranked school for English & Literature?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Empire State University ranks #1 for English & Literature with a score of 52/100 and graduate earnings of $48,651/yr.
Is a English & Literature degree worth the investment?
Typical graduates earn 6.3 times what they paid in tuition within a decade. This is a moderate return — school choice matters significantly. Look at per-school ROI in the table above — averages can mask significant variation.