English at The University of the South

Sewanee, TN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
14
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,218/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #437 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

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 $477K $479K $451K
Earnings Multiple 2.2x 2.2x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 20 14

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$214,792
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,992
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,175
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,008
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of the South's English program produces graduates earning $31,218/yr — within striking distance of the $30,427 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,175 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,218 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #437 of 493 English programs, The University of the South falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $31,218 to $43,008 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of the South

The University of the South's 51% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,598 students in Sewanee, TN. The average net cost of $109,992 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of the South →

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of the South

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 the South?
A score of 20/100 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 $451,139 in decade earnings vs $476,964 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →