Master's-9% vs national median121 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at Pennsylvania State University (The)
Ranked 136th of 183 master's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$38,325
middle 50%: $27,601 – $49,992
Median · 5 years out
$55,214
middle 50%: $35,940 – $73,849
Median · 10 years out
$75,391
middle 50%: $59,253 – $91,987
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
English Language master's graduates from Penn State earn a median of $38,325 in their first year. Earnings reach $75,391 by year 10.
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
≈ $8,857 total interest
Same major at other universities
Valdosta State University
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$55,402 · 5 yrs out
Marshall University
$55,375 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$55,344 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$55,261 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$55,261 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$54,777 · 5 yrs out
Northwestern State University
$54,639 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$54,615 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Louisiana University
$54,522 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$54,522 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$54,216 · 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