English Language and Literature, General at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,420/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #236 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 Language and Literature, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $491K $492K $460K
Earnings Multiple 9.5x 9.5x 8.9x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$51,688
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,784
-6% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,241
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville's English Language and Literature, General program produces graduates earning $31,420/yr — within striking distance of the $30,427 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in English Language and Literature, General's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,250 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,420 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #236 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $31,420 to $45,241 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

A 97% acceptance rate means Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 8,836 students in Edwardsville, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville →

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

English Language and Literature, General at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English Language and Literature, General at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville?
A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English Language and Literature, General careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $459,832 in decade earnings vs $491,382 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →