WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median190 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at State University of New York at Buffalo

Ranked 30th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$60,761
middle 50%: $40,067 – $78,456
Median · 5 years out
$73,677
middle 50%: $61,561 – $86,586
Median · 10 years out
$87,304
middle 50%: $68,702 – $104,864

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 State University of New York at Buffalo's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $60,761 one year after graduating, rising to $87,304 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 30th 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
5.3 yrs
≈ $5,761 total interest

Same major at other universities

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$74,382 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$74,110 · 5 yrs out
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
University of Texas at Arlington
$73,565 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$73,521 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$73,499 · 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

Other majors at State University of New York at Buffalo

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$174,817 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$170,712 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,500 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$153,130 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$143,491 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$141,998 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$131,463 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,606 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$113,140 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,745 · 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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