Doctoral (Research)+21% vs national median391 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at CUNY Graduate School & University Center
Ranked 1st of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$71,834
middle 50%: $49,013 – $93,351
Median · 5 years out
$89,634
middle 50%: $72,585 – $106,801
Median · 10 years out
$96,310
middle 50%: $75,586 – $122,758
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 Literature doctorate graduates earn $72k in their first year. Median earnings hit $96k after ten years of professional work.
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
4.4 yrs
≈ $4,728 total interest
Same major at other universities
Northern Illinois University
$87,244 · 5 yrs out
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 Michigan
$80,729 · 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
Other majors at CUNY Graduate School & University Center
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$161,330 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$157,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$125,550 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$124,801 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$123,601 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$120,424 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$113,216 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Doctorate)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$110,405 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$109,693 · 5 yrs out