English at San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,157/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market
Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI
16.6x earnings multiple (6.8x 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 | $560K | $551K | $501K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.9x | 16.6x | 15.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.9x | 6.8x | 6.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 34 | 33 | 30 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (6.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,122
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,504
109% growth from Year 1
About San Diego State University
Admission to San Diego State University is competitive, with 34% of applicants accepted, one of the larger campuses at 33,654 students in San Diego, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at San Diego State 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
Compare & Explore
English at Other Schools
Other Majors at San Diego State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 33/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at San Diego State University?
At 33/100, 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 San Diego State University?
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.
Is San Diego State University a good choice for English despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If San Diego State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →