English Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
English degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.6 yrs
in Joliet
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
English in Joliet, IL Overview
Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering English programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Although national enrollment in English has been declining, graduates with skills in Writing and Critical Analysis remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $45,360.
Category
Humanities
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$8,958/yr
Private Tuition
$36,980/yr
Room & Board
$13,014/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,482/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
70%
English Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average English salary: $42,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
English ROI Calculator for Joliet
Estimate your return on investment for a English degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980
Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,888
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,560
vs HS diploma in Joliet
ROI Payback Period
11.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Joliet
$149,712
Lifetime earnings premium ($237,600) minus total education cost ($87,888)
Student Loan Payoff for English in Joliet
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Joliet for English
University of St. Francis
private
$36,980/yr
$147,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Joliet Junior College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for English in Joliet
Joliet offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for English graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Humanities
Publishing
Non-profits
Education
Media companies
Government
Common English Job Titles
English in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$46K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$39K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Naperville, IL
$43K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$38K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$33K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$39K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$44K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$38K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Humanities Majors in Joliet
Chinese Studies
$59K starting · 4 yr ROI
Linguistics
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Philosophy
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Foreign Languages & Literatures
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
History
$48K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Classics
$54K starting · 8 yr ROI
Africana Studies
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Art History
$54K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
English Degree in Joliet — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare English ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Joliet.