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English at University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,404/yr (-30% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #409 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

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	$507K	$505K	$469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.6x	9.6x	8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.8x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	22	22	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)

$52,848

Out-of-state: $133,624 (3.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$68,872

-30% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,194

11.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$42,565

99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $21,404 per year, English graduates from University of Kentucky earn below the $30,427 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 9.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,194 debt-to-$21,404 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #409 out of 493 programs, University of Kentucky's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,404 to $42,565 over five years (99% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Kentucky

With 92% of applicants admitted, University of Kentucky prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 23,189 in Lexington, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Kentucky →

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 Kentucky

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

How does University of Kentucky's English program score?

This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is English to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' English careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are English earnings lower at University of Kentucky?

Lower starting pay at University of Kentucky may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →