Indiana · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Indiana

Ranked by graduate earnings

Purdue University, DePauw University and Butler University award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Indiana: 49, 21 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Indiana colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 134 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
21
offering CIP 23.13
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
134
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$25,471
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,442
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
65%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Editors
$63,020
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 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.

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
1DePauw University
Greencastle Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,6402175%$20,874$27,000
2Purdue University
West Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,0844983%—$20,038
3Taylor University
Upland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$25,471374%$20,836$19,500

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

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.

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)
1Purdue University
West Lafayette Public
49$25,084
2DePauw University
Greencastle Private not-for-profit
21$31,640
3Butler University
Indianapolis Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
4University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
5Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington Public
7Not reported
6University of Evansville
Evansville Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
7Franklin College
Franklin Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
8Bethel University
Mishawaka Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
9University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
10Taylor University
Upland Private not-for-profit
3$25,471
Show the other 11 Indiana colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Valparaiso UniversityValparaisoPrivate not-for-profit3
Anderson UniversityAndersonPrivate not-for-profit2
Indiana University - IndianapolisIndianapolisPublic2
Indiana University - SoutheastNew AlbanyPublic2
Indiana University - EastRichmondPublic2
Saint Mary's CollegeNotre DamePrivate not-for-profit2
Earlham CollegeRichmondPrivate not-for-profit1
Goshen CollegeGoshenPrivate not-for-profit1
Hanover CollegeHanoverPrivate not-for-profit1
Huntington UniversityHuntingtonPrivate not-for-profit1
Indiana University - KokomoKokomoPublic1

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 Indiana

Jobs in Indiana
830
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$63,020
median $56,440
Best-paying metro
$70,690
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Related careers

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$82,520 avg · 1,000 jobs
Editors
$63,020 avg · 830 jobs
Technical Writers
$78,400 avg · 540 jobs
Writers and Authors
$85,430 avg · 450 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$41,250 avg · 80 jobs

Common questions

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

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

Purdue University (49 graduates a year), DePauw University (21 graduates a year) and Butler University (10 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Indiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Indiana colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, DePauw University tops the list at $31,640. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Editors earn in Indiana?+

The average annual wage for Editors in Indiana is $63,020 (median $56,440), across about 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 IslandColoradoMinnesotaTexas

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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