Englishat Carleton College
Graduates earn $20,780/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national English average. Base-case 10-year earnings $388K; scenarios range from $388K to $372K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Carleton College
Your Carleton English degree provides a rigorous foundation in critical thinking, nuanced analysis, and sophisticated communication—hallmarks of a top-tier liberal arts education. This broad intellectual development often leads graduates towards advanced studies, non-profit work, or careers in education and cultural institutions, where initial earning potential can be lower than more vocationally-focused paths. Many "Carls" prioritize intellectual fulfillment and impact over immediate high salaries, leveraging their skills in diverse fields like publishing, journalism, or strategic communications after gaining experience or further credentials.
Given the evolving landscape of AI impacting content creation and analysis, proactively seeking internships in areas like technical writing, marketing, or digital media can be crucial. These experiences allow you to apply your exceptional communication skills in practical, in-demand contexts. Remember, your robust analytical abilities are highly valued; focus on translating them into tangible professional assets.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Carleton College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering English
How Carleton College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Carleton College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Carleton 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 →Frequently asked about English at Carleton College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Carleton College?
A score of 23/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is English at Carleton College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $21,167 against $20,780/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace English careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $387,620 in decade earnings vs $371,602 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English from Carleton College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Carleton College a hidden gem for English?
After financial aid, the average student pays $109,280 over four years — 58% below the $261,828 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.