North Carolina · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in North Carolina

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of North Carolina Wilmington, Queens University of Charlotte and Warren Wilson College award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 70, 29 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 North Carolina colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 203 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
12
offering CIP 23.13
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
203
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$24,205
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,920
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Technical Writers
$91,620
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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 North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,2057071%—$27,000

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

Top 10 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 North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington Public
70$24,205
2Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte Private not-for-profit
29Not reported
3Warren Wilson College
Swannanoa Private not-for-profit
28Not reported
4East Carolina University
Greenville Public
24Not reported
5North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public
18Not reported
6University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte Public
11Not reported
7University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro Public
10Not reported
8Guilford College
Greensboro Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
9Elon University
Elon Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
10Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
Show the other 2 North Carolina colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of Mount OliveMount OlivePrivate not-for-profit2
Salem CollegeWinston-SalemPrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Technical Writers (SOC 27-3042).

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 Technical Writers earn in North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
2,860
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$91,620
median $86,320
Best-paying metro
$102,640
Raleigh-Cary, NC

Related careers

Technical Writers
$91,620 avg · 2,860 jobs
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$68,270 avg · 2,140 jobs
Editors
$77,380 avg · 1,870 jobs
Writers and Authors
$72,340 avg · 1,810 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$47,740 avg · 70 jobs

Common questions

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

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

University of North Carolina Wilmington (70 graduates a year), Queens University of Charlotte (29 graduates a year) and Warren Wilson College (28 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 North Carolina colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of North Carolina Wilmington tops the list at $24,205. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Technical Writers earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Technical Writers in North Carolina is $91,620 (median $86,320), across about 2,860 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 Technical Writers?+

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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