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English Language and Literature/Letters

HUMANITIES Specialization

English Language and Literature/Letters

English Language and Literature/Letters graduates earn $46,634 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,918 and $61,375. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About English Language and Literature/Letters

English Language and Literature/Letters is a focused area of study within English. Graduates typically earn around $46,634 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 79 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 877 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $24,239
Median Earnings · 4yr: $46,634
Colleges Offering: 79
Graduates / Year: 877
Avg Net Price / yr: $18,403

How Much Do English Language and Literature/Letters Graduates Earn?

English Language and Literature/Letters graduates earn $46,634 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,918 and $61,375. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $24,239 climbs to $46,634 by year four.

$24,239

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$46,634

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$39,286

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across English Language and Literature/Letters graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$30,918 25th pct.

$46,634 Median

$61,375 75th pct.

Understanding the Cost vs. Return

At median 4-year earnings of $46,634 and an estimated $73,612 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.4 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 59 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 877 students who complete English Language and Literature/Letters programs each year, the majority (64%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

64%

Bachelor's 64%

Master's 16%

Associate's 13%

What Can You Do With an English Language and Literature/Letters Degree?

English Language and Literature/Letters connects to 1 occupations in the job market. English Language and Literature Teachers leads at $78,760/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +0.0% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

English Language and Literature Teachers

$78,760

$61K $103K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 5,100 openings/yr 58K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Instructing Writing Speaking Learning Strategies

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Teach writing or communication classes.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

Top Colleges for English Language and Literature/Letters

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many English Language and Literature/Letters students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public	159	83.6%	$22,531	$64,762
2	Fort Hays State University Hays, KS · Public	83	90.3%	$12,569	$48,928
3	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public	76	26.7%	$12,470	$84,943
4	Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NY · Nonprofit	69	52.1%	$34,649	$46,543
5	Rowan University Glassboro, NJ · Public	60	77.7%	$22,408	$59,988
6	Bennington College Bennington, VT · Nonprofit	57	44.5%	$30,947	$38,289
7	Laney College Oakland, CA · Public	40	Open	$17,110	$37,282
8	Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA · Public	35	Open	$6,490	$46,283
9	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH · Public	20	85%	$21,637	$52,581
10	Suffolk University Boston, MA · Nonprofit	20	82.3%	$29,618	$67,506
11	Mohawk Valley Community College Utica, NY · Public	18	Open	$8,987	$39,850
12	Emmanuel College Boston, MA · Nonprofit	18	75.7%	$26,706	$68,245
13	Wesleyan University Middletown, CT · Nonprofit	14	16.5%	$30,177	$73,897
14	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO · Public	13	73.5%	$15,882	$44,030
15	Butte College Oroville, CA · Public	11	Open	$5,520	$41,810
16	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit	11	11.7%	$31,944	$114,862
17	University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA · Public	10	28.6%	$14,251	$80,735
18	Citrus College Glendora, CA · Public	10	Open	$4,135	$42,065
19	North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC · Public	9	49.9%	$10,846	$44,440
20	University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras San Juan, PR · Public	9	54.6%	$9,175	$35,723

View all colleges

Ranked by English Language and Literature/Letters graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a English Language and Literature/Letters program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a English Language and Literature/Letters degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

English Language and Literature/Letters Degree: Pros & Cons

English Language and Literature/Letters carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $24,239 at graduation to $46,634 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $46,634 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Slow job growth Top related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($30,918) and 75th ($61,375) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

English Language and Literature/Letters Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do English Language and Literature/Letters graduates earn?

English Language and Literature/Letters graduates earn a national median of $46,634 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,918 and $61,375. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a English Language and Literature/Letters degree?

One year after graduation, English Language and Literature/Letters degree holders earn a median of $24,239. That climbs to $46,634 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a English Language and Literature/Letters degree?

English Language and Literature/Letters degree holders pursue careers including English Language and Literature Teachers, which pays a median of $78,760/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a English Language and Literature/Letters program take?

A English Language and Literature/Letters bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer English Language and Literature/Letters?

79 colleges and universities in the United States offer English Language and Literature/Letters programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a English Language and Literature/Letters degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $46,634 and an average net price of roughly $18,403/yr, a English Language and Literature/Letters degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between English Language and Literature/Letters and English?

English Language and Literature/Letters is a focused concentration within the broader English field. The English major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to English Language and Literature/Letters-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in English Language and Literature/Letters graduates?

Employers hiring English Language and Literature/Letters graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.