WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-7% vs national median677 grads tracked

English Language and Literature, General at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 209th of 370 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature, General by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$29,373
middle 50%: $22,375 – $41,367
Median · 5 years out
$48,512
middle 50%: $34,504 – $59,359
Median · 10 years out
$59,182
middle 50%: $42,937 – $75,389

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature, General (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in English Language and Literature, General earn a median $29,373 one year after graduating, rising to $59,182 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $52,222 for this field, ranking 209th of 370 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
9 yrs
≈ $11,020 total interest

Same major at other universities

Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical Colg at Baton Rouge
$48,648 · 5 yrs out
Western Illinois University
$48,631 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
$48,617 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$48,572 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$48,563 · 5 yrs out
Kennesaw State University
$48,515 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Mennonite University
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Black Hills State University
$48,372 · 5 yrs out
Tarleton State University
$48,304 · 5 yrs out
Charleston Southern University
$48,276 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$48,252 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$48,144 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

English Language and Literature/Letters
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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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