Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Columbia College Chicago, DePaul University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Illinois: 60, 43 and 29 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Illinois colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 300 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 5 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 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,060 | 60 | 52% | $28,087 | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,225 | 29 | 85% | — | $23,250 |
| 3 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,556 | 15 | 70% | $20,794 | $23,250 |
| 4 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $19,775 | 5 | 73% | $14,960 | — |
| 5 | Knox College Galesburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $15,466 | 19 | 68% | $24,240 | $26,976 |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Illinois
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 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 60 | $25,060 |
| 2 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 43 | Not reported |
| 3 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 29 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 29 | $24,225 |
| 5 | Knox College Galesburg Private not-for-profit | 19 | $15,466 |
| 6 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 7 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst Private not-for-profit | 15 | $33,556 |
| 8 | North Central College Naperville Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 10 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 11 Illinois colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 14 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | Carbondale | Public | 9 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake | Public | 2 |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Roosevelt University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Chicago State University | Chicago | Public | 1 |
| Concordia University - Chicago | River Forest | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
Columbia College Chicago (60 graduates a year), DePaul University (43 graduates a year) and School of the Art Institute of Chicago (29 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Illinois colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Columbia College Chicago tops the list at $25,060. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Editors earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Editors in Illinois is $80,620 (median $76,060), across about 4,560 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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