English Language and Literature, General at College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,362/yr (43% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #21 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English Language and Literature, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $726K $695K $601K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$243,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$147,472
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,948
89% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,362 put College of the Holy Cross's English Language and Literature, General program 43% above the national median of $30,427 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — 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 Language and Literature, General's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $43,362 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #21 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English Language and Literature, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $81,948 show a 89% jump from the $43,362 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About College of the Holy Cross

College of the Holy Cross accepts 21% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a smaller institution with 3,015 students in Worcester, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $147,472 — 39% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at College of the Holy Cross →

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 Language and Literature, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at College of the Holy Cross

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 Language and Literature, General at College of the Holy Cross?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English Language and Literature, General careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $601,300 in decade earnings vs $726,044 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes College of the Holy Cross's English Language and Literature, General program stand out?
Ranked #21 of 493 programs nationally, College of the Holy Cross lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →