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English Language and Literature, General at William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,697/yr (34% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 5.4x earnings multiple (2.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #59 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 Language and Literature, General graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$543K	$536K	$491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	5.4x	5.4x	4.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.7x	2.7x	2.5x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	39	38	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$100,160

Out-of-state: $197,648 (2.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$90,116

10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,255

5.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,995

38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of William & Mary's English Language and Literature, General program earn $40,697/yr in their first year — 34% above the $30,427 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

At 5.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $19,255 in median debt against $40,697 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #59 out of 493 programs, William & Mary's English Language and Literature, General program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,697 to $55,995 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About William & Mary

William & Mary admits 33% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, enrolling 6,949 students in Williamsburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at William & Mary →

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does William & Mary's English Language and Literature, General program score?

This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for English Language and Literature, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is English Language and Literature, General to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' English Language and Literature, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does William & Mary rank so high for English Language and Literature, General?

The #59 ranking out of 493 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →