English Language and Literature, General at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,375/yr (26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 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 $457K $462K $439K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 11.0x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.2x 4.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,599
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,391
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,375 put Iowa State University's English Language and Literature, General program 26% above the national median of $30,427 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English Language and Literature, General programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in English Language and Literature, General's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,599 represents roughly 7 months of the $38,375 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #93 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English Language and Literature, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $41,391 are relatively flat compared to the $38,375 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa 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 Language and Literature, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Iowa State University

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 Language and Literature, General at Iowa State University?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English Language and Literature, General careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $439,338 in decade earnings vs $457,386 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Iowa State University's English Language and Literature, General program stand out?
Ranked #93 of 493 programs nationally, Iowa State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →