Bachelor's-3% vs national median1,261 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at Purdue University
Ranked 148th of 382 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,829
middle 50%: $25,365 – $48,629
Median · 5 years out
$51,263
middle 50%: $37,935 – $66,541
Median · 10 years out
$65,387
middle 50%: $47,963 – $91,069
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature/Letters (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Purdue University English graduates earn a median of $36k in their first year. After ten years, the median salary grows to $65k.
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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,649 total interest
Same major at other universities
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
$51,627 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern Illinois University
$51,576 · 5 yrs out
Utah Valley University
$51,550 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$51,427 · 5 yrs out
Randolph - Macon College
$51,372 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$51,341 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Hilo
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Montana Technological University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Lamar University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$51,118 · 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