Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, Arcadia University and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania are the top bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,700, College Scorecard. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, West Chester University of Pennsylvania and University of Pennsylvania award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Pennsylvania: 262, 94 and 67 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 53 Pennsylvania colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 891 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 7 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 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,700 | 262 | 85% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Arcadia University Glenside Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,390 | 21 | 67% | $23,796 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,242 | 38 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,753 | 33 | 82% | $23,620 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,446 | 2 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,476 | 11 | 84% | $27,178 | $23,083 |
| 7 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,534 | 1 | 76% | $22,907 | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Temple University Philadelphia Public · Certificate Small program | $24,951 | 15 | 75% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Pennsylvania
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 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 262 | $35,700 |
| 2 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester Public | 94 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 67 | Not reported |
| 4 | Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre Private not-for-profit | 57 | Not reported |
| 5 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown Public | 38 | $26,242 |
| 6 | Seton Hill University Greensburg Private not-for-profit | 33 | Not reported |
| 7 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove Private not-for-profit | 33 | $19,753 |
| 8 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
| 9 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 10 | Arcadia University Glenside Private not-for-profit | 21 | $27,390 |
ShowHide the other 43 Pennsylvania colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatham University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | Public | 16 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| Temple University | Philadelphia | Public | 15 |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | East Stroudsburg | Public | 14 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg | Greensburg | Public | 12 |
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Lancaster | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | California | Public | 7 |
| Allegheny College | Meadville | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem | Public | 6 |
| Point Park University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Rosemont College | Rosemont | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Carlow University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | Public | 5 |
| Muhlenberg College | Allentown | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville | Public | 4 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Public | 4 |
| Waynesburg University | Waynesburg | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| DeSales University | Center Valley | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Marywood University | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College | Erie | Public | 3 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Berks | Reading | Public | 3 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Slippery Rock | Public | 3 |
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| King's College | Wilkes-Barre | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Lebanon Valley College | Annville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Reading Area Community College | Reading | Public | 2 |
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Vincent College | Latrobe | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Shippensburg | Public | 2 |
| Widener University | Chester | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Gannon University | Erie | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Immaculata University | Immaculata | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| La Roche University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Bradford | Public | 1 |
| Thiel College | Greenville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Ursinus College | Collegeville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (262 graduates a year), West Chester University of Pennsylvania (94 graduates a year) and University of Pennsylvania (67 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 53 Pennsylvania colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
What is the best college for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus leads among bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,700, College Scorecard. Arcadia University and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania follow. By degrees awarded, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is the largest, with 262 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus tops the list at $35,700. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Editors earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Editors in Pennsylvania is $72,000 (median $63,460), across about 3,240 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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