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English at Berea College

Berea, KY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
12 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
12
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $13,403/yr (-56% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #492 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 $520K $517K $477K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.6x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 12 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$197,304
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$17,932
91% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,404
179% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Berea College's English graduates start at $13,403/yr, trailing the $30,427 national average by 56%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 2.6x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some English career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #492 ranking among 493 English programs places Berea College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $13,403-to-$37,404 earnings arc over five years reflects a 179% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Berea College

Admission to Berea College is competitive, with 33% of applicants accepted, a smaller institution with 1,472 students in Berea, KY. Pell Grant recipients make up 81% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $17,932 over four years represents a 91% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Berea 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

Compare this program → View all 493 schools offering English →

English at Other Schools

Georgetown University ($52,122) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($50,876) Monmouth University ($50,737) Brown University ($50,437) Northeastern University ($49,639) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($49,639) Bowdoin College ($49,421) Williams College ($49,340)

Other Majors at Berea College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($67,510) Business/Commerce, General ($44,627) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($35,185) Communication and Media Studies ($30,663) Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General ($28,495) Biology, General ($26,744) Agriculture, General ($25,912) Education, General ($21,709)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 12/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Berea College?
At 12/100, 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 Berea 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.
Is Berea College a good choice for English despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Berea College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for English at Berea College?
The 91% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $197,304. At a net cost of $17,932, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →