Home › Elon University › English

English at Elon University

Elon, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,302/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #128 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 $643K $623K $551K
Earnings Multiple 3.6x 3.5x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$178,144
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$164,192
8% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,741
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Elon University's English graduates start at $36,302/yr — above the $30,427 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 3.5x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Ranked #128 out of 493 programs, Elon University's English offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $36,302 to $67,741 over five years (87% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Elon University

Elon University's 67% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 6,402 in Elon, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Elon 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

Compare this program → View all 493 schools offering English →

English at Other Schools

Georgetown University ($52,122) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($50,876) Monmouth University ($50,737) Brown University ($50,437) Northeastern University ($49,639) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($49,639) Bowdoin College ($49,421) Williams College ($49,340)

Other Majors at Elon University

Computer Programming ($79,819) Accounting and Related Services ($69,764) Economics ($69,298) Finance and Financial Management Services ($66,614) Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations ($62,626) Marketing ($55,893) Communication and Media Studies ($48,637) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($47,095)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Elon University's English program score?
This program scores 35/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →