English at Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
19
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,860/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market
Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI
2.6x earnings multiple
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 | $677K | $653K | $572K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.7x | 2.6x | 2.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 19 | 19 | 15 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$252,244
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,750
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,086
148% growth from Year 1
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University's 42% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 15,245 in Syracuse, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $164,104 over four years — 35% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at Syracuse 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 Syracuse University
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
How does Syracuse University's English program score?
This program scores 19/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Syracuse University English graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is English to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' English careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are English earnings lower at Syracuse University?
Lower starting pay at Syracuse University 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 →