WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-3% vs national median176 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Iowa

Ranked 40th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$56,877
middle 50%: $44,978 – $67,692
Median · 5 years out
$72,204
middle 50%: $60,144 – $82,961
Median · 10 years out
$83,838
middle 50%: $71,871 – $97,446

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 University of Iowa's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $56,877 one year after graduating, rising to $83,838 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 40th 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
5.6 yrs
≈ $6,089 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$73,392 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$73,157 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$73,075 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$72,966 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$71,728 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$71,696 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$71,441 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$71,441 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$71,212 · 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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