WhatGradsMake
Master's-16% vs national median212 grads tracked

English Language and Literature/Letters at West Virginia University

Ranked 174th of 183 master's programs in English Language and Literature/Letters by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$40,759
middle 50%: $28,712 – $52,435
Median · 5 years out
$51,104
middle 50%: $37,967 – $68,588
Median · 10 years out
$61,756
middle 50%: $45,888 – $78,191

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

Graduates of West Virginia University's master's program in English Language and Literature/Letters earn a median $40,759 one year after graduating, rising to $61,756 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $60,738 for this field, ranking 174th of 183 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
7.9 yrs
≈ $9,064 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Alabama at Birmingham
$51,694 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$51,576 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana Tech University
$51,505 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$51,505 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$51,411 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Buffalo State University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Monroe
$50,881 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern State University
$50,539 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$50,129 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$49,645 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$48,984 · 5 yrs out
Midwestern State University
$48,829 · 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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