WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)0% vs national median172 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 24th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$66,850
middle 50%: $54,404 – $82,300
Median · 5 years out
$74,382
middle 50%: $61,332 – $90,154
Median · 10 years out
$90,042
middle 50%: $73,958 – $107,710

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 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $66,850 one year after graduating, rising to $90,042 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 0% above the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 24th 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
5 yrs
≈ $5,338 total interest

Same major at other universities

Illinois State University
$76,680 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$75,655 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$74,729 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$74,586 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$74,545 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$74,110 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$74,086 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$73,932 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$73,920 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$73,677 · 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, 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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