English at Guilford College

Greensboro, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
13 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
13
Optimistic
13
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,742/yr (-35% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #491 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

Program Analysis

Guilford's English program, rooted in a liberal arts tradition, excels at developing critical thinking and communication skills. However, initial earning potential for graduates often reflects the local Greensboro labor market and the common career paths chosen. Many alumni find fulfilling roles in local education, non-profits, or administrative positions, where starting salaries for humanities majors are typically more modest. The program emphasizes broad intellectual development, meaning direct recruiting pipelines into higher-paying corporate communications or tech fields may require students to actively forge those connections themselves. To maximize your financial outlook, proactively seek internships in industries like marketing, publishing, or even local tech companies, and consider pairing your English degree with a minor in a more vocational field like business, digital media, or professional writing.

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 $430K $439K $423K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.7x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 13 13 10

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$164,560
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$84,800
48% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,044
62% growth from Year 1

About Guilford College

A 84% acceptance rate means Guilford College is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 1,011 students in Greensboro, NC. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $84,800 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Guilford College →

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 Guilford College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 13/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Guilford College?
At 13/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring English programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study English at Guilford College?
The 61% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Guilford College a good choice for English despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Guilford College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →