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English & Literature · English Rank #262 of 493

Englishat Bates College

Graduates earn $40,233/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national English average. Base-case 10-year earnings $561K; scenarios range from $508K to $571K depending on AI disruption.

Lewiston, ME Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
29 AT RISK
30
Optimistic
21
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,233
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$561K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Bates College

A Bates English degree, from an elite liberal arts institution, signals exceptional critical thinking and communication abilities to employers across diverse sectors, not just those directly tied to literature. Your rigorous training in analysis and persuasive writing is highly valued, helping graduates secure roles in areas like marketing, content strategy, publishing, or non-profit management, often leveraging the strong alumni network in major metropolitan areas far beyond Maine.

While direct paths like teaching are common, many find success by applying their analytical prowess to broader fields. The "Very High" AI risk reflects the automation of *tasks* like basic proofreading, but the uniquely human elements of creative storytelling, nuanced argumentation, and interpersonal communication — central to a Bates education — remain indispensable. To thrive, actively seek internships that combine your literary skills with practical applications in digital media, project management, or data analysis, making yourself indispensable in an evolving job market.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$508K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score21/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$561K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$571K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Bates College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where English graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
0.0% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$78,270/yr
High
2
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
3
Proofreaders and copy markers
-0.6% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$49,210/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering English

How Bates College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Top score
University of Houston-Clear Lake
TX · Public
56
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
17.4x
ROI
Monmouth University
NJ · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
Brown University
RI · Private nonprofit
33
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
33
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Also at Bates College

Other top programs at Bates College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Bates College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in English offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about English at Bates College

What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Bates College?

At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring English programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study English at Bates College?

The 61% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for English at Bates College?

The 52% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $253,912. At a net cost of $122,812, the earnings multiple improves substantially.