English at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,091/yr (-34% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #423 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

Program Analysis

The earnings data for EKU's English program suggests a regional labor market dynamic significantly different from national averages. In Central Kentucky, many graduates pursue fulfilling careers locally, often entering K-12 education within surrounding school districts or working in regional government, non-profits, and small businesses that value strong communication and analytical skills. While these roles are vital to the community, they typically offer more modest starting salaries than specialized industries found in larger metropolitan areas. This local focus, combined with the generalist nature of the degree, contributes to the overall earnings profile. To enhance your career trajectory, consider pairing your English degree with practical skills through internships in fields like technical writing, marketing, or publishing, and be prepared to explore opportunities beyond the immediate Richmond area.

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 $472K $475K $448K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,509
12.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,665
87% growth from Year 1

About Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,674 students in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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 Eastern Kentucky University

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 Eastern Kentucky University?
A score of 21/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is English at Eastern Kentucky University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $20,509 against $20,091/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 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 $448,442 in decade earnings vs $472,487 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English from Eastern Kentucky 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 →