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English & Literature · English Rank #454 of 493

Englishat Harding University

Graduates earn $19,588/yr in their first year — about 36.0% below the national English average. Base-case 10-year earnings $382K; scenarios range from $384K to $365K depending on AI disruption.

Searcy, AR Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
18 AT RISK
18
Optimistic
15
Pessimistic
Earnings
$19,588
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$382K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
63% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Harding University

The compensation trends for English graduates from Harding reflect a few key dynamics. The regional labor market in Searcy, Arkansas, and surrounding areas often features a higher concentration of K-12 education, local non-profits, and small businesses. While an English degree provides invaluable critical thinking and communication skills, the local economy may offer fewer immediate high-paying roles in corporate communications or specialized publishing compared to larger metropolitan areas. This often steers graduates towards established paths like teaching or general administrative roles, where regional salaries can differ significantly. Furthermore, the high AI risk for certain roles traditionally pursued by English majors, such as proofreading and content creation, signals a shrinking demand for entry-level positions without specialized digital skills. To enhance your post-graduation prospects, actively pursue internships that provide concrete, marketable skills in areas like digital content strategy, technical writing, or data-informed communication.

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
$384K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score15/100
Earnings Multiple3.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$382K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score18/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$365K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score18/100
Earnings Multiple3.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Harding University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Harding 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 Harding University

How does Harding University's English program score?

This program scores 18/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Harding University English graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.4x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 Harding University?

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