English Language and Literature, General at University at Albany

Albany, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,940/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #101 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 25%

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 $526K $521K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.6x 12.5x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 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)
$41,632
Out-of-state: $115,992 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,944
-78% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,662
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,340
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,940 track close to the $30,427 national median for English Language and Literature, General programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English Language and Literature, General programs nationally.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,662 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,940 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #101 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English Language and Literature, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $50,340 show a 58% jump from the $31,940 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University at Albany

With a 70% acceptance rate, University at Albany is moderately selective, serving 12,100 students in Albany, NY. With 42% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Albany →

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

Other Majors at University at Albany

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 University at Albany?
A score of 36/100 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 $480,447 in decade earnings vs $525,579 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University at Albany's English Language and Literature, General program stand out?
Ranked #101 of 493 programs nationally, University at Albany lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →