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English at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,419/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 14.2x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #73 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 25%

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 $467K $470K $445K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.1x 14.2x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.2x 7.8x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,208
Out-of-state: $57,040 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,952
-99% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,756
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,524
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,419/yr, edging above the $30,427 national average for English — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 14.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,756 debt-to-$35,419 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #73 out of 493 programs, University of Nebraska at Kearney's English program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,419 to $42,524 shows 20% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of Nebraska at Kearney has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,130 students in Kearney, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney →

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

Compare this program → View all 493 schools offering English →

English at Other Schools

Georgetown University ($52,122) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($50,876) Monmouth University ($50,737) Brown University ($50,437) Northeastern University ($49,639) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($49,639) Bowdoin College ($49,421) Williams College ($49,340)

Other Majors at University of Nebraska at Kearney

Agricultural Business and Management ($61,152) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($60,771) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,861) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($42,001) Fine and Studio Arts ($40,501) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($40,128) History ($39,340) Social Work ($39,218)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Nebraska at Kearney's English program score?
This program scores 37/100 — 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 does University of Nebraska at Kearney rank so high for English?
The #73 ranking out of 493 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →