English at Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,574/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market
Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI
1.7x earnings multiple
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 | $398K | $410K | $403K |
| Earnings Multiple | 1.6x | 1.7x | 1.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 20 | 20 | 16 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$245,968
About Whitman College
Whitman College's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,523 in Walla Walla, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $142,024 — 42% less than the list price.
See all programs and financial aid at Whitman 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
Compare & Explore
English at Other Schools
Other Majors at Whitman College
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 20/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for English at Whitman College?
At 20/100, 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 Whitman College?
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.
Is Whitman College a good choice for English despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Whitman College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →