WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+9% vs national median206 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Michigan

Ranked 9th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$66,358
middle 50%: $52,563 – $80,673
Median · 5 years out
$80,729
middle 50%: $69,010 – $97,133
Median · 10 years out
$95,419
middle 50%: $76,224 – $117,406

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 University of Michigan's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $66,358 one year after graduating, rising to $95,419 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 9% above the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 9th 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
4.8 yrs
≈ $5,208 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$81,462 · 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
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$78,090 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$77,524 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Michigan

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$148,552 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 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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