WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-3% vs national median86 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Ball State University

Ranked 41st of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$61,827
middle 50%: $47,346 – $82,614
Median · 5 years out
$71,899
middle 50%: $54,051 – $92,673
Median · 10 years out
$99,994
middle 50%: $58,734 – $130,533

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 Ball State University's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $61,827 one year after graduating, rising to $99,994 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 41st 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
≈ $5,744 total interest

Same major at other universities

Kent State University
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$73,157 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$73,075 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$72,966 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$72,204 · 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 Illinois Chicago
$70,298 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Ball State University

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's)
$104,232 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$98,755 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$97,243 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$96,168 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$89,443 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$88,775 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$85,374 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$85,374 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$85,242 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$83,054 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,671 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

English Language and Literature, General
Compare universities
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
Compare universities
Literature
Compare universities
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Compare universities