English at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,999/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market
Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI
12.5x earnings multiple (7.0x 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 | $511K | $509K | $472K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.6x | 12.5x | 11.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.0x | 7.0x | 6.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 26 | 26 | 23 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,576
Out-of-state: $72,832 (7.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,017
91% growth from Year 1
About The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
With 77% of applicants admitted, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga prioritizes broad access, serving 9,878 students in Chattanooga, TN.
See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga →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
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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 at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
A score of 26/100 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 $471,607 in decade earnings vs $510,913 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English from The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →