English at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,622/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #61 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 $578K $567K $512K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.2x 10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.4x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,572
Out-of-state: $167,988 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,940
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,169
81% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,622/yr, roughly in line with the $30,427 national median for English. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in English's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $31,622 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #61 of 493 nationally, this is a top-5% English program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $57,169 show a 81% jump from the $31,622 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Washington-Seattle Campus

A 43% admission rate makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 31,588 students in Seattle, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Seattle Campus →

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 Washington-Seattle Campus

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for English at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?
A score of 38/100 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 $512,307 in decade earnings vs $578,425 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus's English program stand out?
Ranked #61 of 493 programs nationally, University of Washington-Seattle Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →