Colorado · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Colorado

Ranked by graduate earnings

Western Colorado University, Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Denver award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in Colorado: 45, 43 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Colorado colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 223 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…

Institutions
14
offering CIP 23.13
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
223
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$34,339
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,510
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
53%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Editors
$79,150
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,5264332%—$19,998
2University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$34,3391646%—$33,000

Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Colorado

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Western Colorado University
Gunnison Public
45Not reported
2Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public
43$39,526
3University of Denver
Denver Private not-for-profit
28Not reported
4Colorado College
Colorado Springs Private not-for-profit
21Not reported
5University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver Public
16$34,339
6Naropa University
Boulder Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
7University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Public
13Not reported
8Regis University
Denver Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
9Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Fort Collins Public
9Not reported
10University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder Public
7Not reported
Show the other 4 Colorado colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand JunctionPublic6
Colorado Christian UniversityLakewoodPrivate not-for-profit4
Arapahoe Community CollegeLittletonPublic2
Fort Lewis CollegeDurangoPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+0.6%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~9,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$75,260
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingActive Learning

What Editors earn in Colorado

Jobs in Colorado
1,830
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$79,150
median $77,870
Best-paying metro
$83,840
Boulder, CO

Related careers

Editors
$79,150 avg · 1,830 jobs
Technical Writers
$107,560 avg · 1,320 jobs
Writers and Authors
$81,030 avg · 1,300 jobs
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,420 avg · 1,220 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
— avg · 120 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Colorado.

Which Colorado colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+

Western Colorado University (45 graduates a year), Metropolitan State University of Denver (43 graduates a year) and University of Denver (28 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Colorado colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.

Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Metropolitan State University of Denver tops the list at $39,526. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Editors earn in Colorado?+

The average annual wage for Editors in Colorado is $79,150 (median $77,870), across about 1,830 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).

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in other statesUtahArizonaMarylandSouth CarolinaRhode IslandMinnesotaTexasNebraska

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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