English Language and Literature/Letters at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,788/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Small (5,100 openings/yr)
ROI 9.2x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 16 English Language and Literature/Letters programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English Language and Literature/Letters graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $573K $564K $516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.4x 9.2x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.1x 3.1x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 20 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 (3.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,896
129% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-San Diego's English Language and Literature/Letters graduates start at $21,788/yr, trailing the $29,011 national average by 25%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in English Language and Literature/Letters's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $21,788 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #13 of 16 English Language and Literature/Letters programs, University of California-San Diego falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $49,896 show a 129% jump from the $21,788 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-San Diego

Admission to University of California-San Diego is competitive, with 25% of applicants accepted, 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
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

English Language and Literature/Letters at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English Language and Literature/Letters at University of California-San Diego?
A score of 20/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature/Letters. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English Language and Literature/Letters careers?
With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $515,645 in decade earnings vs $572,692 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English Language and Literature/Letters from University of California-San Diego?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →