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English Language and Literature, General at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,563/yr (30% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 7.8x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #68 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English Language and Literature, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $498K $497K $464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.8x 7.8x 7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,084
Out-of-state: $112,344 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,984
-19% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,750
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,567
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,563 put Illinois State University's English Language and Literature, General program 30% above the national median of $30,427 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

A 7.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some English Language and Literature, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,750 against $39,563/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Illinois State University ranks #68 among 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 23% earnings increase from $39,563 to $48,567 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Illinois State University

Illinois State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 18,414 students in Normal, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois State 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 Language and Literature, General →

English Language and Literature, General 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 Illinois State University

Computer Science ($81,363) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,709) Construction Management ($70,672) Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($66,801) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($65,629) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($65,127) Accounting and Related Services ($62,940) Public Health ($59,207)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare English Language and Literature, General 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

What does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English Language and Literature, General at Illinois State University?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring English Language and Literature, General programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study English Language and Literature, General at Illinois State University?
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 Illinois State University one of the best schools for English Language and Literature, General?
Among 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, Illinois State University's #68 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →