WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)0% vs national median149 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Ranked 26th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$60,304
middle 50%: $41,597 – $81,807
Median · 5 years out
$74,110
middle 50%: $60,961 – $86,981
Median · 10 years out
$89,036
middle 50%: $72,871 – $111,249

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 Pennsylvania State University (The)'s doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $60,304 one year after graduating, rising to $89,036 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 0% above the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 26th 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
≈ $5,779 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$74,729 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$74,586 · 5 yrs out
Loyola University Chicago
$74,545 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$74,382 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Albany
$74,301 · 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
State University of New York at Buffalo
$73,677 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$73,565 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$73,521 · 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

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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