Literature at University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
14
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,704/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Medium (28,300 openings/yr)
ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (2.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 8 Literature programs

Program Analysis

A UCLA Literature degree offers a profound intellectual foundation, but your initial career trajectory may differ from more vocationally-focused fields. The program excels at cultivating critical thinking and sophisticated communication skills, highly valued by employers, but often requiring you to translate these abilities into specific professional contexts. Many graduates leverage this prestigious degree for further education, like law school or graduate studies, which defers immediate earnings. Others enter competitive fields in Los Angeles's robust media, entertainment, and publishing industries, where early-career roles, while intellectually stimulating, might have a slower financial ramp-up. The "Very High" AI risk highlights the evolving landscape for writing and editing roles, emphasizing the need for adaptability and mastering unique human-centric skills. To maximize your potential, actively pursue internships across diverse sectors and build a strong professional network while still a student.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Literature graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $451K $458K $437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.2x 8.3x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.5x 2.6x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 14

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,988
Out-of-state: $178,096 (2.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,052
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,328
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,428
60% growth from Year 1

About University of California-Los Angeles

University of California-Los Angeles's 9% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, serving a student body of 33,040 in Los Angeles, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Los Angeles →

Top Career Paths

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
Editors $75,260/yr
Writers and authors $72,270/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Literature at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Literature at University of California-Los Angeles?
A score of 17/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Literature. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Literature careers?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $437,420 in decade earnings vs $451,426 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →