English at Washington State University
Pullman, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,876/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market
Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI
10.0x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
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 | $524K | $520K | $479K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.1x | 10.0x | 9.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.5x | 4.5x | 4.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 30 | 30 | 25 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,988
Out-of-state: $116,292 (4.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,754
69% growth from Year 1
About Washington State University
A 85% acceptance rate means Washington State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 21,583 students in Pullman, WA.
See all programs and financial aid at Washington State 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
Compare & Explore
English at Other Schools
Other Majors at Washington State University
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 does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Washington State University?
At 30/100, 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 Washington State University?
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 →