Bachelor's-4% vs national median1,390 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at Northern Illinois University
Ranked 157th of 382 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,379
middle 50%: $24,586 – $44,999
Median · 5 years out
$50,951
middle 50%: $37,365 – $62,918
Median · 10 years out
$63,515
middle 50%: $48,455 – $81,738
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
English literature graduates earn a median of $33,379 in their first year. Salaries reach $63,515 by year ten.
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
8.4 yrs
≈ $10,039 total interest
Same major at other universities
Lamar University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$51,118 · 5 yrs out
Concordia College - Moorhead
$50,995 · 5 yrs out
Georgia College & State University
$50,978 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$50,925 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Cortland
$50,911 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$50,866 · 5 yrs out
Virginia State University
$50,866 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$50,831 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Harrisburg
$50,802 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Northern Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out