Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Berkeley, San Francisco State University and University of Southern California are the top bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in California by graduate earnings. University of California-Berkeley leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,553, College Scorecard. University of California-Riverside, San Francisco State University and Chapman University award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in California: 80, 55 and 47 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 49 California colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 575 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program focuses on the art and science of writing, particularly at the college level. It is designed for students interested in developing their writing skills, understanding the nuances of…
Top 8 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,553 | 33 | 93% | — | $14,037 |
| 2 | San Francisco State University San Francisco Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,431 | 55 | 50% | — | $18,500 |
| 3 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,636 | 29 | 92% | $26,873 | $19,500 |
| 4 | Chapman University Orange Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,939 | 47 | 82% | $42,965 | — |
| 5 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,765 | 80 | 76% | — | $20,000 |
| 6 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,726 | 21 | 55% | — | $16,210 |
| 7 | Pepperdine University Malibu Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,228 | 12 | 83% | $41,986 | $24,027 |
| 8 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $21,854 | 2 | 69% | — | $15,394 |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public | 80 | $21,765 |
| 2 | San Francisco State University San Francisco Public | 55 | $32,431 |
| 3 | Chapman University Orange Private not-for-profit | 47 | $23,939 |
| 4 | Antioch University - Los Angeles Culver City Private not-for-profit | 45 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 33 | $44,553 |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 29 | $26,636 |
| 7 | San Diego State University San Diego Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 8 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino Public | 21 | $20,726 |
| 9 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 10 | San Jose State University San Jose Public | 16 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 39 California colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
University of California-Riverside (80 graduates a year), San Francisco State University (55 graduates a year) and Chapman University (47 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 49 California colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
What is the best college for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in California?+
By graduate earnings, University of California-Berkeley leads among bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in California, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $44,553, College Scorecard. San Francisco State University and University of Southern California follow. By degrees awarded, University of California-Riverside is the largest, with 80 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-Berkeley tops the list at $44,553. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Editors earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Editors in California is $111,810 (median $98,030), across about 14,830 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program?+
The Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program focuses on the art and science of writing, particularly at the college level. It is designed for students interested in developing their writing skills, understanding the nuances of…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Editors?+
The national job outlook is about +0.6% growth with around 9,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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