English at Clark University

Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
13
Base Case
11
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,670/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #489 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 $496K $495K $462K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 14 13 11

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$220,640
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$110,844
50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,168
13.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,952
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $22,670 per year, English graduates from Clark University earn below the $30,427 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in English's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,168 against $22,670/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.2 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #489 of 493 English programs, Clark University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,952 show a 85% jump from the $22,670 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Clark University

Clark University accepts 42% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 2,336 students in Worcester, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $110,844 — 50% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Clark University →

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

English at Other Schools

Other Majors at Clark University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Clark University?
A score of 13/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is English at Clark University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,168 against $22,670/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 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 $462,336 in decade earnings vs $495,535 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English from Clark University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →