Englishat Illinois State University
Graduates earn $39,563/yr in their first year — about 30.0% above the national English average. Base-case 10-year earnings $497K; scenarios range from $464K to $498K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Illinois State University
The strong earnings for Illinois State English graduates reflect a program that effectively connects critical thinking and communication skills with tangible career paths. As a well-regarded public university, ISU has a robust reputation for preparing students for professional roles, particularly in education, which aligns with the common career trajectories for English majors.
The regional labor market around Normal, IL, combined with ISU's established alumni network, likely creates a stable pipeline to local and regional employers, including school districts and businesses that value strong writers and communicators for various roles. You'll find graduates leveraging their analytical abilities in fields like teaching, technical writing, and content development. To maximize your prospects and mitigate AI risk, actively pursue internships and consider a minor or specialization in a complementary field like professional writing, data analysis, or a specific industry to further hone your marketable skills.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Illinois State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering English
How Illinois State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Illinois State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Illinois State 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 →Frequently asked about English at Illinois State University
What does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Illinois State University?
At 37/100, 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 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?
Among 493 English programs, Illinois State University's #68 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.