English Language and Literature, General at Missouri University of Science and Technology
MO · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 23.01
Executive Summary
Graduates with a English Language and Literature, General degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology earn a median salary of $48,144 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in MO, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $53,973. The degree typically pays for itself in 11.5 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$35,986
Typical Career
$48,144
Top Performers
$62,322
Estimated break-even: 11.5 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$321
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $4,012. Most students can comfortably afford about a $321 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.2x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.6x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Missouri buys what costs $0.89 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Manufacturing, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Construction.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$53,973
Nominal: $48,144 in Missouri (COL 89.2% of national avg) · 12.1% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $22,038 | $34,840 | $44,206 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $35,986 | $48,144 | $62,322 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $37,592 | $65,986 | $80,863 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $48,144 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in MO, which has a cost-of-living index of 89.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $48,144 × (1.0 ÷ 0.8920)
= $53,973 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries for graduates include Manufacturing at 30.5%, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services at 25.9%, and Construction at 6.6%. The estimated break-even point for those pursuing this degree versus a high-school-only path is approximately 11.5 years, suggesting a moderate return on investment. While the degree may not lead to the highest initial salaries, the long-term earnings potential and diverse industry opportunities can provide a solid foundation for a sustainable career.
AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.
Compare with Another School
See how the English Language and Literature, General degree at Missouri University of Science and Technology stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.