WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median331 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Purdue University

Ranked 36th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$65,986
middle 50%: $50,044 – $79,576
Median · 5 years out
$73,157
middle 50%: $62,246 – $87,947
Median · 10 years out
$80,540
middle 50%: $63,927 – $103,152

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 Purdue University's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $65,986 one year after graduating, rising to $80,540 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 36th 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
5.1 yrs
≈ $5,428 total interest

Same major at other universities

State University of New York at Buffalo
$73,677 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$73,565 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$73,521 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$73,499 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$73,392 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$73,271 · 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
Ball State University
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$71,728 · 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, 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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