Minnesota · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Minnesota

Ranked by graduate earnings

Metropolitan State University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Macalester College are the top bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Minnesota by graduate earnings. Metropolitan State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,558, College Scorecard. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minnesota State University - Mankato and Hamline University award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Minnesota: 104, 44 and 32 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Minnesota colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 326 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
19
offering CIP 23.13
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
326
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$29,487
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,441
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Editors
$69,290
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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
1Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,5582144%—$26,680
2University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,40710485%—$22,375
3Macalester College
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$29,4872387%$21,441$20,000
4Hamline University
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$20,0593260%$20,981$25,000

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

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)
1University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis Public
104$38,407
2Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato Public
44Not reported
3Hamline University
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
32$20,059
4Macalester College
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
23$29,487
5Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul Public
21$39,558
6Augsburg University
Minneapolis Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
7Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids Public
13Not reported
8University of St Thomas
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
9Bemidji State University
Bemidji Public
8Not reported
10Concordia University - Saint Paul
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
Show the other 9 Minnesota colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluthPublic8
Normandale Community CollegeBloomingtonPublic7
University of Minnesota-MorrisMorrisPublic6
St Olaf CollegeNorthfieldPrivate not-for-profit5
Century CollegeWhite Bear LakePublic5
North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn ParkPublic4
Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshallPublic4
Minnesota State College SoutheastWinonaPublic4
Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorheadPublic2

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 Minnesota

Jobs in Minnesota
1,970
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$69,290
median $62,650
Best-paying metro
$71,560
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Related careers

Editors
$69,290 avg · 1,970 jobs
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$86,950 avg · 920 jobs
Technical Writers
$88,770 avg · 910 jobs
Writers and Authors
$76,110 avg · 720 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$52,200

Common questions

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

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

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (104 graduates a year), Minnesota State University - Mankato (44 graduates a year) and Hamline University (32 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Minnesota colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.

What is the best college for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Minnesota?+

By graduate earnings, Metropolitan State University leads among bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Minnesota, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,558, College Scorecard. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Macalester College follow. By degrees awarded, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is the largest, with 104 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Metropolitan State University tops the list at $39,558. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Editors earn in Minnesota?+

The average annual wage for Editors in Minnesota is $69,290 (median $62,650), across about 1,970 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 IslandColoradoTexasNebraska

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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