English & Literature at Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,239/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Small (5,100 openings/yr)
ROI 7.3x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 16 English Language and Literature/Letters programs

Program Analysis

The data suggests this "other" English program, while valuable for intellectual growth, faces significant headwinds in the job market. The outcomes are largely shaped by a combination of factors: the more generalist nature of an "other" specialization, which can make direct career paths less obvious; the limited number of high-paying, degree-specific roles in the regional Athens job market, often requiring graduates to relocate or pivot; and the notoriously competitive landscape for academic positions like postsecondary teaching. Furthermore, the very high AI risk indicates many general writing and analytical tasks are increasingly susceptible to automation, demanding more specialized skills from human graduates. If you pursue this path, actively build a portfolio showcasing practical applications of your critical thinking and communication. Strongly consider pairing your studies with internships, minors, or certifications in complementary fields like technical writing, digital content creation, or education licensure to carve a more direct and resilient career trajectory.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English & Literature graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $388K $400K $393K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.1x 7.3x 7.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.1x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,984
Out-of-state: $96,456 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,652
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,427
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings

About Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University-Main Campus accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 18,456 students in Athens, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

English & Literature at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ohio University-Main Campus's English & Literature program score?
This program scores 18/100 — on the lower end for English & Literature. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is English & Literature to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' English & Literature careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are English & Literature earnings lower at Ohio University-Main Campus?
Lower starting pay at Ohio University-Main Campus 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 →