Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $23,987/yr fall 21% below the $30,427 national median for English. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 21.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $28,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $23,987 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.
Ranked #191 out of 493 programs, Columbus State University's English offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $23,987 to $42,702 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.