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English at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,858/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 20.1x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #112 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 25%

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 $557K $549K $499K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.4x 20.1x 18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.3x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,252
Out-of-state: $74,792 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$16,452
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,500
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,932
109% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,858 per year, English graduates from California State University-Los Angeles earn below the $30,427 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 20.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some English career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $14,500 against $23,858/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

California State University-Los Angeles ranks #112 among 493 English programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $23,858-to-$49,932 earnings arc over five years reflects a 109% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Los Angeles

With 92% of applicants admitted, California State University-Los Angeles prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 21,478 in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Los Angeles →

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 California State University-Los Angeles

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($98,811) Civil Engineering ($73,178) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($63,981) Mechanical Engineering ($55,405) Food Science and Technology ($52,806) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($50,428) Fire Protection ($48,289) Air Transportation ($46,267)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at California State University-Los Angeles?
At 35/100, 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 California State University-Los Angeles?
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 California State University-Los Angeles one of the best schools for English?
Among 493 English programs, California State University-Los Angeles's #112 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is California State University-Los Angeles a good choice for English despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Los Angeles's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →