Bachelor's+9% vs national median1,366 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at Pennsylvania State University (The)
Ranked 47th of 382 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$34,953
middle 50%: $24,965 – $48,253
Median · 5 years out
$58,000
middle 50%: $42,216 – $78,308
Median · 10 years out
$73,299
middle 50%: $51,753 – $107,481
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for English Language and Literature/Letters (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
English Language and Literature graduates from Penn State earn a median starting salary of $35k. By year 10, earnings typically rise to approximately $73k.
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
7.5 yrs
≈ $9,012 total interest
Same major at other universities
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Brandywine
$59,253 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M International University
$59,117 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$58,698 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$58,675 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$58,432 · 5 yrs out
Empire State University
$58,344 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Medgar Evers College
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
$57,751 · 5 yrs out
Framingham State University
$57,726 · 5 yrs out
Worcester State University
$57,641 · 5 yrs out
Fort Valley State University
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Westfield State University
$57,594 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Pennsylvania State University (The)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$182,178 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$177,057 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$143,044 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,869 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$122,394 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$115,495 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$115,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,831 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,734 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,727 · 5 yrs out