English at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,561/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

Your strong outcomes from UMD's English program reflect the university's robust academic reputation and its prime location. The Washington D.C. metropolitan area boasts a diverse labor market, from federal agencies and non-profits to burgeoning tech and media companies, all actively seeking graduates with exceptional communication, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. This regional demand helps explain why UMD English majors find competitive roles in areas like content strategy, policy analysis, technical writing, or strategic communications, leveraging their nuanced understanding of language beyond traditional teaching or editing paths. While AI's influence is certainly growing in roles like proofreading and basic content generation, your UMD degree equips you with the higher-order critical reasoning and persuasive communication that AI still struggles to replicate. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships that apply your analytical and writing prowess in digital marketing, UX writing, or policy research, demonstrating your adaptability to evolving industry needs.

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 $570K $560K $507K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.4x 12.2x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,415
60% growth from Year 1

About University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-College Park's 45% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 30,246 students in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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

Compare English

Other Majors at University of Maryland-College Park

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 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at University of Maryland-College Park?
At 44/100, 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 Maryland-College Park?
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 Maryland-College Park one of the best schools for English?
Among 493 English programs, University of Maryland-College Park's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →