WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+18% vs national median67 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 2nd of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$61,926
middle 50%: $43,317 – $75,548
Median · 5 years out
$87,244
middle 50%: $65,035 – $108,403
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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 Northern Illinois University's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $61,926 one year after graduating, rising to $87,244 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 18% above the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 2nd 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
4.8 yrs
≈ $5,317 total interest

Same major at other universities

CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$89,634 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$85,364 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$82,996 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$82,237 · 5 yrs out
Texas Woman's University
$82,185 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$81,462 · 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

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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