English at Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
19
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,346/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #442 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

Program Analysis

The outcomes you're seeing for this program reflect a few dynamics common to broad liberal arts degrees in competitive, high-cost-of-living regions like Los Angeles. LMU's English program cultivates exceptional critical thinking and communication skills, which are universally valued. However, without a highly specialized career track, graduates often enter diverse fields like marketing, non-profits, or content creation, where initial salaries can be modest, especially given LA's expense. Many pursue careers in education or publishing, which are generally not top-tier earners. This isn't a reflection on the quality of the education, but rather the market's early-career valuation for generalist roles. To maximize your financial trajectory, actively pursue internships aligning with specific industries that interest you, and consider complementing your English degree with a minor or practical skills in areas like digital media, business communications, or data analysis.

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 $793K $753K $642K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.2x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 19 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$235,896
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$182,892
22% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
13.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,697
245% growth from Year 1

About Loyola Marymount University

A 40% admission rate makes Loyola Marymount University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 7,171 in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Loyola Marymount 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

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Loyola Marymount University?
A score of 19/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is English at Loyola Marymount University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $22,000 against $19,346/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $641,781 in decade earnings vs $793,192 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English from Loyola Marymount University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →