English Language and Literature, General at Kean University

Union, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,257/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #57 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 $524K $520K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.8x 9.7x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,704
Out-of-state: $84,304 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,672
9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,984
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,764
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,257/yr, edging above the $30,427 national average for English Language and Literature, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,984 represents roughly 9 months of the $36,257 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #57 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English Language and Literature, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $36,257 to $51,764 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Kean University

Kean University has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 10,842 students in Union, NJ. With 46% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Kean 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 Kean 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for English Language and Literature, General at Kean University?
A score of 38/100 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 $479,678 in decade earnings vs $524,303 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Kean University's English Language and Literature, General program stand out?
Ranked #57 of 493 programs nationally, Kean 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 →