English at Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
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
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
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
Compare & Explore
English at Other Schools
Other Majors at Occidental College
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
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 →