English at Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
29
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,694/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.1x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #259 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

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 $529K $524K $483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.2x 11.1x 10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.3x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 29 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,160
Out-of-state: $161,928 (3.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,368
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,227
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,352
81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Indiana University-Bloomington's English program produces graduates earning $26,694/yr — within striking distance of the $30,427 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in English's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $16,227 represents roughly 7 months of the $26,694 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #259 of 493 English programs, Indiana University-Bloomington falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,352 show a 81% jump from the $26,694 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Indiana University-Bloomington

A 80% acceptance rate means Indiana University-Bloomington is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 36,571 in Bloomington, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Bloomington →

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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Indiana University-Bloomington?
A score of 29/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $482,666 in decade earnings vs $529,258 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →