WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-5% vs national median123 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Illinois Chicago

Ranked 47th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$64,868
middle 50%: $48,258 – $76,186
Median · 5 years out
$70,298
middle 50%: $55,307 – $83,306
Median · 10 years out
$84,259
middle 50%: $58,734 – $111,405

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 University of Illinois Chicago's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $64,868 one year after graduating, rising to $84,259 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 47th 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
5.3 yrs
≈ $5,589 total interest

Same major at other universities

Ball State University
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$71,728 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$71,696 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$71,441 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$71,441 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$70,069 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$69,558 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$69,004 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$68,363 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$68,327 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$67,394 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Illinois Chicago

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$203,383 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$155,322 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,674 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$149,199 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$146,852 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,939 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$139,846 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$135,535 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$133,429 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$123,770 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$117,024 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$115,930 · 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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