Doctoral (Research)+11% vs national median189 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ranked 7th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$68,774
middle 50%: $53,921 – $81,313
Median · 5 years out
$81,907
middle 50%: $65,892 – $94,498
Median · 10 years out
$97,530
middle 50%: $83,179 – $112,042
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
English doctorate graduates earn $69k in their first year. Median compensation reaches $98k 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
4.8 yrs
≈ $5,041 total interest
Same major at other universities
CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$89,634 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$87,244 · 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
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$81,462 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$80,729 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$80,415 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$79,247 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$78,709 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$78,199 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$226,077 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$206,093 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$177,207 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$176,681 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$173,815 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$159,201 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$152,834 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$151,479 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$126,011 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out