WhatGradsMake
Master's-8% vs national median163 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Eastern Illinois University

Ranked 129th of 183 master's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$43,240
middle 50%: $27,303 – $61,951
Median · 5 years out
$55,592
middle 50%: $38,365 – $75,672
Median · 10 years out
$64,682
middle 50%: $46,359 – $81,043

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

Graduates of Eastern Illinois University's master's program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $43,240 one year after graduating, rising to $64,682 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% below the national median of $60,738 for this field, ranking 129th of 183 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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,320 total interest

Same major at other universities

Minnesota State University Moorhead
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Cortland
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Converse University
$55,746 · 5 yrs out
McNeese State University
$55,640 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$55,621 · 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
University of Iowa
$55,344 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$55,261 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$55,261 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Eastern Illinois University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$97,476 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$93,454 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$91,284 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$88,374 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$86,616 · 5 yrs out
Physics (Bachelor's)
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$75,747 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$75,308 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$75,308 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$73,331 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$70,826 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Bachelor's)
$70,402 · 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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