WhatGradsMake
Master's-5% vs national median769 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Portland State University

Ranked 104th of 183 master's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$42,453
middle 50%: $29,580 – $60,225
Median · 5 years out
$57,696
middle 50%: $41,462 – $78,295
Median · 10 years out
$69,872
middle 50%: $48,213 – $91,474

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 Portland State University's master's program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $42,453 one year after graduating, rising to $69,872 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $60,738 for this field, ranking 104th 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
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,209 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$58,249 · 5 yrs out
Indiana State University
$58,019 · 5 yrs out
Butler University
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
Lamar University
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$57,781 · 5 yrs out
Sam Houston State University
$57,726 · 5 yrs out
University of West Georgia
$57,688 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$57,669 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$57,576 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Kansas City
$57,562 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$57,471 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$57,417 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Portland State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$189,860 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$130,437 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$126,846 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,667 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$120,677 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$116,662 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,474 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,147 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$110,977 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$105,672 · 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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