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English at Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
24
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,605/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 1.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #373 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 $387K $401K $397K
Earnings Multiple 1.5x 1.6x 1.6x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 24 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,784
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,316
38% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Occidental College's English graduates start at $23,605/yr, trailing the $30,427 national average by 22%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

An earnings multiple of 1.6x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the -3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #373 out of 493 programs, Occidental College's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Occidental College

Admission to Occidental College is competitive, with 40% of applicants accepted, with a smaller student body of 1,844 in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,316 over four years — 38% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Occidental College →

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 Occidental College

Economics ($64,885) Computer Science ($63,845) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($49,529) Political Science and Government ($45,175) Sociology ($42,653) International Relations and National Security Studies ($35,231) Psychology, General ($31,002) Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($30,526)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Occidental College's English program score?
This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is English to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' English careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are English earnings lower at Occidental College?
Lower starting pay at Occidental College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →