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English at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,060/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #48 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 10%

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	$563K	$554K	$503K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.7x	15.4x	14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.6x	3.5x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,956

Out-of-state: $157,320 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,932

-44% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,794

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,429

81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's English program produces graduates earning $30,060/yr — within striking distance of the $30,427 national average for this field.

With a 15.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some English career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,794 in median debt clears quickly against $30,060 in annual earnings.

At #48 of 493 programs, this English program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $30,060-to-$54,429 earnings arc over five years reflects a 81% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Admission to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is competitive, with 19% of applicants accepted, with 20,556 students enrolled in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

At 39/100, 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

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.

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