Bachelor's-8% vs national median263 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at South Dakota State University
Ranked 212th of 382 bachelor's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,990
middle 50%: $24,360 – $43,765
Median · 5 years out
$48,813
middle 50%: $36,419 – $60,182
Median · 10 years out
$56,406
middle 50%: $43,533 – $77,548
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 earn a median of $34k in year one. Median salary is $56k after ten years.
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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,335 total interest
Same major at other universities
Tarleton State University
$49,000 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$48,997 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
$48,984 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Oregon University
$48,943 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$48,902 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois at Springfield
$48,818 · 5 yrs out
University of North Georgia
$48,731 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$48,718 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Morris
$48,694 · 5 yrs out
University of West Georgia
$48,679 · 5 yrs out
Hamline University
$48,661 · 5 yrs out
Western Illinois University
$48,631 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at South Dakota State University
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$152,496 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$148,262 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$142,581 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$113,950 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,697 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$93,240 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out