Master's-9% vs national median718 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Iowa
Ranked 133rd of 183 master's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,881
middle 50%: $24,523 – $51,032
Median · 5 years out
$55,344
middle 50%: $38,612 – $74,117
Median · 10 years out
$72,682
middle 50%: $52,754 – $94,954
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature/Letters (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
English literature master's graduates see a first-year median salary of $34k. Earnings rise to $73k after ten years in the workforce.
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
7.8 yrs
≈ $9,397 total interest
Same major at other universities
McNeese State University
$55,640 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$55,621 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Illinois University
$55,592 · 5 yrs out
Valdosta State University
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$55,402 · 5 yrs out
Marshall University
$55,375 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$55,261 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$55,261 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$55,214 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$54,777 · 5 yrs out
Northwestern State University
$54,639 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$54,615 · 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