English at University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
23
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,523/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market
Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI
6.6x earnings multiple (2.2x 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 | $392K | $405K | $400K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 6.4x | 6.6x | 6.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 2.1x | 2.2x | 2.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 23 | 23 | 19 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (2.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,555
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
About University of California-San Diego
University of California-San Diego accepts 25% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 33,787 in La Jolla, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-San Diego →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
Other Majors at University of California-San Diego
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at University of California-San Diego?
At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring English programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study English at University of California-San Diego?
The 61% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of California-San Diego a good choice for English despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-San Diego's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →