English at Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,378/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market
Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI
11.4x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
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 | $451K | $457K | $436K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.3x | 11.4x | 10.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.9x | 4.0x | 3.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 36 | 35 | 28 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,839
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$34,082
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes
About Purdue University-Main Campus
A 50% admission rate makes Purdue University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 39,637 students in West Lafayette, IN.
See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →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 Purdue University-Main Campus
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
What does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 35/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring English programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study English at Purdue University-Main Campus?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →