English Language and Literature, General at Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
16 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
16
Optimistic
16
Base Case
12
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,614/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #475 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English Language and Literature, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $631K $613K $544K
Earnings Multiple 2.3x 2.3x 2.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 16 16 12

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$152,728
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,430
137% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,614 place Vassar College below the $30,427 national median for English Language and Literature, General — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.3x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in English Language and Literature, General's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $24,614 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #475 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, Vassar College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $58,430 show a 137% jump from the $24,614 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Vassar College

Vassar College accepts 18% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a smaller institution with 2,430 students in Poughkeepsie, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $152,728 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Vassar College →

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 Language and Literature, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Vassar College

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for English Language and Literature, General at Vassar College?
A score of 16/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for English Language and Literature, General. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace English Language and Literature, General careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $544,151 in decade earnings vs $631,249 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with English Language and Literature, General from Vassar College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →