Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in New York
Ranked by graduate earnings
Columbia University, Hamilton College and State University of New York at Oswego are the top bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in New York by graduate earnings. Columbia University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,244, College Scorecard. Columbia University, New York University and The New School award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in New York: 144, 90 and 65 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 50 New York colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 842 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 10 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 University New York Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,244 | 144 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 2 | Hamilton College Clinton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,442 | 24 | 91% | $20,680 | — |
| 3 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,103 | 30 | 60% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | Ithaca College Ithaca Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,443 | 21 | 76% | $28,970 | $25,000 |
| 5 | Syracuse University Syracuse Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,935 | 38 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Binghamton University Vestal Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,377 | 39 | 82% | — | $20,500 |
| 7 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,242 | 43 | 54% | — | $19,500 |
| 8 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,205 | 7 | 69% | $17,134 | $26,170 |
| 9 | Manhattanville University Purchase Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,779 | 7 | 58% | $23,949 | $27,000 |
| 10 | SUNY College at Potsdam Potsdam Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $20,455 | 10 | 45% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in New York
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 University New York Private not-for-profit | 144 | $36,244 |
| 2 | New York University New York Private not-for-profit | 90 | Not reported |
| 3 | The New School New York Private not-for-profit | 65 | Not reported |
| 4 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn Public | 43 | $20,242 |
| 5 | Binghamton University Vestal Public | 39 | $24,377 |
| 6 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook Public | 39 | Not reported |
| 7 | Syracuse University Syracuse Private not-for-profit | 38 | $24,935 |
| 8 | CUNY City College New York Public | 30 | Not reported |
| 9 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego Public | 30 | $28,103 |
| 10 | Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 40 New York colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in New York
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in New York.
Which New York colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
Columbia University (144 graduates a year), New York University (90 graduates a year) and The New School (65 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in New York, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 50 New York colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
What is the best college for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in New York?+
By graduate earnings, Columbia University leads among bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in New York, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,244, College Scorecard. Hamilton College and State University of New York at Oswego follow. By degrees awarded, Columbia University is the largest, with 144 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in New York has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Columbia University tops the list at $36,244. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Editors earn in New York?+
The average annual wage for Editors in New York is $116,740 (median $101,480), across about 16,800 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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