Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Lindenwood University, Missouri State University - Springfield and Washington University in St Louis award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Missouri: 109, 73 and 41 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Missouri colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 330 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,377 | 73 | 58% | — | $26,500 |
| 2 | Drury University Springfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $24,127 | 11 | 62% | $20,482 | $23,094 |
| 3 | Truman State University Kirksville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $16,569 | 10 | 69% | — | $26,899 |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Missouri
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 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit | 109 | Not reported |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 73 | $47,377 |
| 3 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis Private not-for-profit | 41 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 28 | Not reported |
| 5 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 6 | Drury University Springfield Private not-for-profit | 11 | $24,127 |
| 7 | Truman State University Kirksville Public | 10 | $16,569 |
| 8 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Webster University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Park University Parkville Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 7 Missouri colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville | Public | 4 |
| Stephens College | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| St Charles Community College | Cottleville | Public | 3 |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | Public | 2 |
| Kansas City Art Institute | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Central Methodist University - College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
Lindenwood University (109 graduates a year), Missouri State University - Springfield (73 graduates a year) and Washington University in St Louis (41 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Missouri colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Missouri State University - Springfield tops the list at $47,377. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Editors earn in Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Editors in Missouri is $68,130 (median $61,620), across about 880 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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