English Language and Literature, General at Washburn University

Topeka, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,598/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #139 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 50%

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 $445K $451K $432K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.8x 11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.5x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,312
Out-of-state: $82,328 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,184
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,787
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,832
6% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,598/yr, edging above the $30,427 national average for English Language and Literature, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI English Language and Literature, General programs nationally.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,787 represents roughly 7 months of the $36,598 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #139 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs, Washburn University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $38,832 are relatively flat compared to the $36,598 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Washburn University

with a smaller student body of 4,093 in Topeka, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Washburn University →

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 Washburn University

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 Washburn University?
A score of 34/100 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 $431,619 in decade earnings vs $444,584 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →