English at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,324/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #229 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $433K $440K $424K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.5x 12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 5.0x 4.9x
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, In-State (Sticker)
$35,328
Out-of-state: $87,456 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,908
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,373
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,019
11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,324 per year, English graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham earn slightly above the $30,427 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

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 programs nationally.

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 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,373 represents roughly 8 months of the $32,324 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #229 of 493 English programs, University of Alabama at Birmingham scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $36,019 are relatively flat compared to the $32,324 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Alabama at Birmingham

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Alabama at Birmingham prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 12,118 in Birmingham, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham →

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 University of Alabama at Birmingham

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at University of Alabama at Birmingham?
A score of 30/100 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 $424,342 in decade earnings vs $432,513 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →