English at Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
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%

Program Analysis

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.

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 $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

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

English at Other Schools

Other Majors at Illinois State University

Consider the Trade Route?

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 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →