WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-2% vs national median2,934 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Iowa

Ranked 133rd of 382 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,813
middle 50%: $24,422 – $45,362
Median · 5 years out
$52,045
middle 50%: $37,237 – $68,120
Median · 10 years out
$67,692
middle 50%: $50,273 – $93,708

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature/Letters (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of University of Iowa's bachelor's program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $33,813 one year after graduating, rising to $67,692 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $53,081 for this field, ranking 133rd of 382 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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,802 total interest

Same major at other universities

Presbyterian College
$52,435 · 5 yrs out
Dominican University
$52,387 · 5 yrs out
University of New Haven
$52,354 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$52,165 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$52,083 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
$52,071 · 5 yrs out
Concordia University
$52,031 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$52,016 · 5 yrs out
Furman University
$51,981 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$51,980 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$51,969 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Denver
$51,969 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Iowa

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$197,724 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$173,339 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$167,710 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$157,015 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,198 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$144,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$121,670 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$114,999 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,625 · 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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