WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+10% vs national median105 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Iowa State University of Science & Technology

Ranked 8th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$68,957
middle 50%: $56,170 – $85,313
Median · 5 years out
$81,462
middle 50%: $67,373 – $99,913
Median · 10 years out
$107,201
middle 50%: $82,479 – $126,300

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature/Letters (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Iowa State University of Science & Technology's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $68,957 one year after graduating, rising to $107,201 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% above the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 8th of 56 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
4.8 yrs
≈ $5,040 total interest

Same major at other universities

Northern Illinois University
$87,244 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$85,364 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$82,996 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$82,237 · 5 yrs out
Texas Woman's University
$82,185 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$80,729 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$80,415 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$79,247 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$78,709 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$78,199 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$78,090 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Iowa State University of Science & Technology

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$147,324 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,317 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$136,278 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,825 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$116,045 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$115,806 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$113,881 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$110,315 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$107,785 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,597 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$104,160 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,015 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

English Language and Literature, General
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English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
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Literature
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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
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