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English & Literature · English Rank #396 of 493

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.

Northfield, MN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
23 AT RISK
23
Optimistic
20
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,780
1-year post-graduation
ROI
-0.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$388K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

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.

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
$388K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple1.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$388K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple1.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$372K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple1.4x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

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 Carleton 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 Carleton College

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 →
FAQ

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.