Doctoral (Research)-1% vs national median171 grads tracked
English Language and Literature/Letters at University of Virginia
Ranked 37th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$60,908
middle 50%: $45,993 – $81,537
Median · 5 years out
$73,075
middle 50%: $60,720 – $89,507
Median · 10 years out
$89,177
middle 50%: $74,301 – $103,197
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
University of Virginia research doctorate graduates earn $61k in their first year. This reaches $89k after a decade of work.
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
≈ $5,771 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Texas at Arlington
$73,565 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$73,521 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$73,499 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$73,392 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$73,157 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$72,966 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$72,204 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$71,899 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$71,728 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$71,696 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Virginia
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$222,735 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$198,412 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$187,481 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$163,027 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$162,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$144,468 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Certificate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,161 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$133,882 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$133,294 · 5 yrs out