WhatGradsMake
Master's-12% vs national median143 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Western Carolina University

Ranked 150th of 183 master's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$41,799
middle 50%: $30,298 – $55,086
Median · 5 years out
$53,578
middle 50%: $38,771 – $64,930
Median · 10 years out
$63,105
middle 50%: $48,761 – $72,071

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature/Letters (master's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Western Carolina University's master's program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $41,799 one year after graduating, rising to $63,105 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 12% below the national median of $60,738 for this field, ranking 150th of 183 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
7.7 yrs
≈ $8,678 total interest

Same major at other universities

Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$53,937 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Missouri State University
$53,862 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Brockport
$53,696 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$53,536 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$53,455 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$53,391 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$53,384 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$52,950 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$52,860 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 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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