English at East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,133/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #170 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 50%

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 $482K $483K $454K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.4x 16.4x 15.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.1x 5.1x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,444
Out-of-state: $94,552 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,056
-124% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,154
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,062
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

East Carolina University's English program produces graduates earning $29,133/yr — within striking distance of the $30,427 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,154 represents roughly 10 months of the $29,133 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #170 of 493 English programs, East Carolina University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $29,133 to $43,062 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About East Carolina University

A 90% acceptance rate means East Carolina University is accessible to most applicants, serving 19,857 students in Greenville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at East Carolina 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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at East Carolina University?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $454,179 in decade earnings vs $482,005 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →