WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-8% vs national median148 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at University of South Carolina - Columbia

Ranked 52nd of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$55,464
middle 50%: $44,767 – $70,135
Median · 5 years out
$68,327
middle 50%: $58,100 – $83,321
Median · 10 years out
$75,586
middle 50%: $62,911 – $90,406

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 University of South Carolina - Columbia's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $55,464 one year after graduating, rising to $75,586 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 52nd 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
5.8 yrs
≈ $6,355 total interest

Same major at other universities

Texas A&M University
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$70,069 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$69,558 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$69,004 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$68,363 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$67,394 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$66,338 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University
$62,075 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$60,990 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of South Carolina - Columbia

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,841 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$168,157 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$153,126 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$150,876 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$129,928 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$122,810 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,242 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$114,563 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$102,325 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$100,689 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$100,245 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$99,491 · 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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