Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$33,598

Median Earnings

$47,141

Schools Offering

144

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $40,579Median: $47,14175th: $57,012

Best Schools for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	University of Richmond VA · Private	81	$81,253	$31,309	N/A	-
2	University of Utah UT · Public	84	$75,686	$16,200	N/A	-
3	Carnegie Mellon University PA · Private	97	$71,205	$31,944	N/A	-
4	Iowa State University IA · Public	79	$69,673	$18,589	N/A	-
5	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$69,373	$13,481	$14,037	B+
6	Hobart William Smith Colleges NY · Private	70	$68,522	$31,563	N/A	-
7	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$68,314	$19,857	$21,323	C
8	Saint Johns University MN · Private	83	$67,607	$25,672	N/A	-
9	Clemson University SC · Public	86	$67,102	$22,253	$23,250	C+
10	Wabash College IN · Private	72	$65,605	$24,336	$27,000	C+
11	College of Saint Benedict MN · Private	66	$64,449	$26,640	N/A	-
12	Johns Hopkins University MD · Private	96	$63,503	$18,809	$13,728	B+
13	Loyola University Maryland MD · Private	83	$62,745	$30,574	$27,000	D
14	University of North Texas TX · Public	67	$62,703	$15,649	$19,424	B
15	Marquette University WI · Private	83	$62,473	$31,487	$26,000	B
16	George Mason University VA · Public	86	$62,383	$17,915	$23,250	C
17	University of Nebraska at Kearney NE · Public	55	$61,941	$16,242	N/A	-
18	Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ · Public	77	$61,676	$14,967	$30,114	C
19	Miami University-Oxford OH · Public	54	$61,474	$28,384	$23,750	C
20	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$61,159	$38,793	$27,000	F
21	Texas Tech University TX · Public	76	$60,563	$19,070	$21,500	C+
22	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN · Public	88	$60,415	$16,778	$22,375	C
23	Seattle University WA · Private	79	$60,291	$34,662	$24,500	D
24	Metropolitan State University MN · Public	72	$59,779	$16,863	$26,680	C
25	The University of Texas at Arlington TX · Public	76	$59,430	$13,951	$17,417	C+
26	Grand Canyon University AZ · Private	25	$59,281	$22,472	$26,186	D
27	San Francisco State University CA · Public	80	$59,032	$12,278	$18,500	C
28	Metropolitan State University of Denver CO · Public	46	$58,918	$15,327	$19,998	C+
29	Texas State University TX · Public	63	$58,484	$16,805	$21,765	C
30	St. Joseph's University-New York NY · Private	72	$57,305	$19,035	$26,170	D
31	University at Albany NY · Public	79	$57,286	$17,167	N/A	-
32	James Madison University VA · Public	84	$57,179	$23,322	$22,714	B
33	University of Pittsburgh-Bradford PA · Public	75	$57,012	$15,350	$26,000	D
34	University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg PA · Public	71	$57,012	$17,945	$26,000	D
35	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown PA · Public	75	$57,012	$18,202	$26,000	D
36	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus PA · Public	70	$57,012	$30,434	$26,000	D
37	Michigan State University MI · Public	79	$56,662	$19,680	$25,750	D
38	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale IL · Public	60	$56,632	$13,297	N/A	-
39	University of New Mexico-Main Campus NM · Public	38	$56,244	$15,489	$14,363	B
40	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus CO · Public	76	$55,361	$11,900	$33,000	D
41	Missouri State University-Springfield MO · Public	46	$54,917	$17,613	$26,500	C
42	Emory University GA · Private	92	$54,848	$22,585	$21,000	D
43	University of South Florida FL · Public	78	$54,778	$9,812	N/A	-
44	Old Dominion University VA · Public	53	$54,390	$14,638	$26,000	D
45	University of Wisconsin-Stout WI · Public	67	$53,436	$17,490	$27,000	D
46	Saint Edward's University TX · Private	54	$53,151	$25,578	$26,000	D
47	University of Rhode Island RI · Public	79	$52,625	$21,440	$22,195	C+
48	DePauw University IN · Private	78	$51,983	$22,264	$27,000	D
49	Emerson College MA · Private	52	$51,742	$49,180	$24,250	D
50	California State University-Los Angeles CA · Public	80	$51,414	$3,967	$13,500	C+

Below Average Value

Is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

Be honest with yourself about the money on Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. At an average $33,598 four years out, the payback can be long, especially at a pricey school. That doesn't make the field a mistake - it means the cost side has to be managed tightly, so lean toward low debt.

144 schools offer this major, so you have real options. Compare net price and graduate earnings at your actual target schools - the spread between the best and worst ROI in this field is wide.

The top earner here is University of Richmond, where graduates pull $81,253 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, and what you do with the degree, matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by Earnings

Is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

Related Reading