WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median71 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at West Virginia University

Ranked 39th of 56 doctoral (research) programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$63,105
middle 50%: $49,000 – $78,372
Median · 5 years out
$72,928
middle 50%: $65,788 – $84,259
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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 West Virginia University's doctoral (research) program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $63,105 one year after graduating, rising to $72,928 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $74,110 for this field, ranking 39th 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
≈ $5,627 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
University of Virginia
$73,075 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$72,966 · 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
University of Connecticut
$71,441 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$71,441 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at West Virginia University

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,311 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 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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