English Language and Literature at University of Chicago
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How University of Chicago graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Chicago graduates earn $44k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all english language and literature bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
English Language and Literature bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (50 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | $44,397 | $39,095 | — | — |
| Illinois State University | $39,563 | $43,761 | $23,125 | 0.58 |
| University of Illinois Springfield | $39,358 | $35,500 | $32,574 | 0.83 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | $37,031 | $51,888 | $20,961 | 0.57 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | $36,594 | $43,379 | $19,000 | 0.52 |
| Northern Illinois University | $34,122 | $42,120 | $25,375 | 0.74 |
| National Median | $29,967 | — | $24,529 | 0.82 |
Other English Language and Literature Programs in Illinois
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Illinois schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State University Normal | $16,021 | $39,563 | $23,125 |
| University of Illinois Springfield Springfield | $12,252 | $39,358 | $32,574 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign | $16,004 | $37,031 | $20,961 |
| Northeastern Illinois University Chicago | $12,383 | $36,594 | $19,000 |
| Northern Illinois University Dekalb | $12,700 | $34,122 | $25,375 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Chicago, approximately 14% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.