Iowa · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Iowa

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Drake University award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in Iowa: 84, 23 and 14 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Iowa colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 151 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
8
offering CIP 23.13
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
151
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$18,241
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,328
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Editors
$67,790
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
1University of Iowa
Iowa City Public · Certificate
$29,6478475%—$24,862
2Cornell College
Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$18,2411162%$23,073$27,000

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

Top 6 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)
1University of Iowa
Iowa City Public
84$29,647
2Iowa State University
Ames Public
23Not reported
3Drake University
Des Moines Private not-for-profit
14Not reported
4Cornell College
Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit
11$18,241
5Coe College
Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
6Loras College
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
Show the other 2 Iowa colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Maharishi International University (Online)FairfieldPrivate not-for-profit5
Waldorf UniversityForest CityPrivate not-for-profit2

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 Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
900
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$67,790
median $57,200
Best-paying metro
$69,180
Dubuque, IA

Related careers

Editors
$67,790 avg · 900 jobs
Technical Writers
$72,130 avg · 640 jobs
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,230 avg · 510 jobs
Writers and Authors
$62,780 avg · 290 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$47,950 avg · 110 jobs

Common questions

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

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

University of Iowa (84 graduates a year), Iowa State University (23 graduates a year) and Drake University (14 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Iowa colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Iowa tops the list at $29,647. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Editors earn in Iowa?+

The average annual wage for Editors in Iowa is $67,790 (median $57,200), across about 900 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.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card