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
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale grants research doctorates in English language and literature. Median salaries begin at $67k and rise to $90k by the tenth year.
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
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
University of Texas at Arlington
$73,565 · 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