Englishat University of Northern Iowa
Graduates earn $41,870/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national English average. Base-case 10-year earnings $488K; scenarios range from $457K to $487K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Northern Iowa
The robust financial outcomes for UNI English graduates highlight the program's strong connection to regional labor market demands, especially within education. While a general humanities degree can often lead to less defined initial career paths, UNI's program appears to effectively channel its graduates into roles where their skills are highly valued. This includes a clear pipeline into teaching positions across Iowa's K-12 schools, where a solid English background is essential and local demand remains consistent. You'll likely find that the program's reputation and faculty connections foster strong placement opportunities in these stable, well-compensated roles, providing a distinct advantage over national averages. To maximize your earning potential, actively explore combining your English studies with secondary education licensure or communication-focused internships in the Cedar Falls area.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Northern Iowa's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering English
How University of Northern Iowa stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Northern Iowa
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Northern Iowa, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in English offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare English trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about English at University of Northern Iowa
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at University of Northern Iowa?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $457,422 in decade earnings vs $487,384 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Northern Iowa's English program stand out?
Ranked #14 of 493 programs nationally, University of Northern Iowa lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.