English at Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,283/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #162 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 50%

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 $453K $458K $437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.6x 10.8x 10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.4x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$42,552
Out-of-state: $85,328 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,824
-55% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,497
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,123
14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $35,283 per year, English graduates from Salisbury University earn slightly above the $30,427 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in English's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,497 represents roughly 7 months of the $35,283 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #162 of 493 English programs, Salisbury University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $40,123 are relatively flat compared to the $35,283 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Salisbury University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Salisbury University prioritizes broad access, serving 6,056 students in Salisbury, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at Salisbury 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at Salisbury University?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $436,757 in decade earnings vs $453,106 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →