WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-1% vs national median1,033 grads tracked

English Language and Literature, General at Purdue University

Ranked 127th of 370 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature, General by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$35,288
middle 50%: $25,155 – $48,170
Median · 5 years out
$51,890
middle 50%: $38,407 – $66,235
Median · 10 years out
$65,524
middle 50%: $47,759 – $90,582

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature, General (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Purdue University's bachelor's program in English Language and Literature, General earn a median $35,288 one year after graduating, rising to $65,524 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% below the national median of $52,222 for this field, ranking 127th of 370 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
8.1 yrs
≈ $9,649 total interest

Same major at other universities

Concordia University
$52,031 · 5 yrs out
Concordia College - Moorhead
$52,031 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$51,998 · 5 yrs out
Furman University
$51,981 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$51,969 · 5 yrs out
Clayton State University
$51,967 · 5 yrs out
Agnes Scott College
$51,888 · 5 yrs out
Augsburg University
$51,875 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$51,837 · 5 yrs out
Clark Atlanta University
$51,694 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$51,615 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$51,608 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Purdue University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

English Language and Literature/Letters
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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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