WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-6% vs national median134 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Missouri - Columbia

Ranked 49th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$56,406
middle 50%: $40,159 – $74,301
Median · 5 years out
$69,558
middle 50%: $58,363 – $78,655
Median · 10 years out
$86,191
middle 50%: $66,779 – $98,792

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 Missouri - Columbia's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $56,406 one year after graduating, rising to $86,191 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 6% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 49th 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
5.7 yrs
≈ $6,226 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$70,069 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$69,004 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$68,363 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$68,327 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$67,394 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$66,338 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University
$62,075 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Missouri - Columbia

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$180,791 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$172,774 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$172,774 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$161,330 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$128,558 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$119,795 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$104,465 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$103,997 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$102,185 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$101,595 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$100,947 · 5 yrs out
Veterinary Medicine (Doctorate)
$100,947 · 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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