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English & Literature · English Rank #399 of 493

Englishat Duke University

Graduates earn $20,483/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national English average. Base-case 10-year earnings $871K; scenarios range from $724K to $929K depending on AI disruption.

Durham, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
23 AT RISK
23
Optimistic
20
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,483
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$871K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Duke University

A Duke English degree provides an exceptional foundation in critical thinking, complex analysis, and persuasive communication, highly valued across many sectors. However, typical entry-level roles for English majors, like teaching, publishing, or non-profit work, often don't command the highest initial salaries compared to more vocational fields, influencing the early career earning potential you see. Your Duke education opens doors to top graduate programs and competitive roles, but the immediate financial return isn't always direct.

The impact of AI on fields reliant on content creation, editing, and basic writing also factors in, suggesting a shift in demand for certain tasks. To maximize your prospects, consider augmenting your strong humanities background with practical skills like data analysis, digital strategy, or project management, and seek internships that bridge these disciplines. Your Duke network and analytical prowess are significant assets; leverage them to pivot into diverse roles where nuanced communication is crucial.

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
$724K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$871K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$929K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Duke University'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 Duke University 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 Duke University

Other top programs at Duke University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Duke University, 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 Duke University

How does Duke University's English program score?

This program scores 23/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is English to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' English careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are English earnings lower at Duke University?

Lower starting pay at Duke University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.