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English at Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
16 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
16
Optimistic
16
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,621/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #476 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 $533K $528K $485K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 16 16 13

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$162,560
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$110,744
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,250
13.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,412
105% growth from Year 1

About Messiah University

A 78% acceptance rate means Messiah University is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 2,318 in Mechanicsburg, PA. The average net cost of $110,744 over four years represents a 32% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Messiah 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

Compare this program → View all 493 schools offering English →

English at Other Schools

Georgetown University ($52,122) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($50,876) Monmouth University ($50,737) Brown University ($50,437) Northeastern University ($49,639) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($49,639) Bowdoin College ($49,421) Williams College ($49,340)

Other Majors at Messiah University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,788) Engineering, General ($64,871) Accounting and Related Services ($59,833) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($50,825) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($50,389) Computer Science ($49,205) Marketing ($45,748) Communication and Media Studies ($45,021)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

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 does a 16/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Messiah University?
At 16/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring English programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a English degree from Messiah University?
At $25,250 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study English at Messiah 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 Messiah University a good choice for English despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Messiah University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →