Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median252 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Ranked 33rd of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$64,318
middle 50%: $51,223 – $76,854
Median · 5 years out
$73,499
middle 50%: $60,738 – $85,331
Median · 10 years out
$80,986
middle 50%: $67,922 – $90,348
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
English language doctoral graduates earn a median of $64.3k. Salaries rise to $81k after ten years.
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
5.2 yrs
≈ $5,528 total interest
Same major at other universities
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$74,086 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$73,932 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$73,920 · 5 yrs out
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 -Greensboro
$73,392 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$73,157 · 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
Other majors at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$214,723 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$192,150 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$178,780 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$167,515 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,181 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,648 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$147,757 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$140,602 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$127,840 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$125,175 · 5 yrs out
Journalism (Bachelor's)
$124,373 · 5 yrs out
Library Science (Doctorate)
$121,393 · 5 yrs out