Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by graduate earnings are University of Utah ($47,950), Missouri State University - Springfield ($47,377) and University of California-Berkeley ($44,553), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT): $47,950, 38 graduates a year
- Missouri State University - Springfield (Springfield, MO): $47,377, 73 graduates a year
- University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA): $44,553, 33 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $44,411, 29 graduates a year
- Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD): $43,524, 145 graduates a year
Compare 640 U.S. colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,647 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 23.13 and the Editors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs
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 effective communication, and exploring various writing genres and styles. This program is ideal for aspiring writers, educators, and professionals in various fields who seek to enhance their writing capabilities.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective writing. Coursework often includes topics in general writing, creative writing, technical writing, and rhetoric, providing a well-rounded foundation for various writing-related careers.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,950 | 38 | 65% | — | — |
| 2 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,377 | 73 | 58% | — | $26,500 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,553 | 33 | 93% | — | $14,037 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,411 | 29 | 68% | — | $30,114 |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,524 | 145 | 94% | $11,888 | $13,728 |
| 6 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,505 | 64 | 87% | — | $23,250 |
| 7 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,287 | 48 | 80% | — | $23,750 |
| 8 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,114 | 57 | 68% | — | $23,250 |
| 9 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,943 | 52 | 69% | — | $21,500 |
| 10 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,558 | 21 | 44% | — | $26,680 |
| 11 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,526 | 43 | 32% | — | $19,998 |
| 12 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,713 | 129 | 89% | — | $21,323 |
| 13 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,407 | 104 | 85% | — | $22,375 |
| 14 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,548 | 25 | 55% | — | $21,765 |
| 15 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,244 | 144 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 16 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,205 | 31 | 46% | — | $21,398 |
| 17 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,716 | 139 | 46% | — | $26,000 |
| 18 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,700 | 262 | 85% | — | $26,000 |
| 19 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,634 | 29 | 77% | — | — |
| 20 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,464 | 27 | 58% | — | $25,500 |
| 21 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,999 | 83 | 55% | — | $14,363 |
| 22 | Emerson College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,441 | 229 | 77% | $40,982 | $24,250 |
| 23 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,401 | 29 | 81% | — | $25,750 |
| 24 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,431 | 55 | 50% | — | $18,500 |
| 25 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,763 | 42 | 50% | — | $26,169 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
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 | Boise State University Boise, ID Public · Certificate | $31,148 | 58 | 60% | — | $21,032 |
| 2 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · Associate degree | $33,514 | 20 | 20% | — | $13,967 |
Specializations within Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 23.13 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Creative WritingCIP 23.13027,090 graduates / yr448 institutions49 states
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific WritingCIP 23.13033,683 graduates / yr161 institutions39 states
- Rhetoric and CompositionCIP 23.13041,283 graduates / yr81 institutions31 states
- WritingCIP 23.1301674 graduates / yr101 institutions35 states
- Rhetoric and Composition/CIP 23.1399
Writing Studies 581 graduates / yr16 institutions12 states
Offered across 50 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program can pursue careers in writing, editing, and communication across multiple industries. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 9,800 positions and a median wage of $75,260. A typical entry-level requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 23.13.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 23.13 (Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1123 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 27-3041 | Editorsprimary |
| 27-3042 | Technical Writers |
| 27-3043 | Writers and Authors |
| 43-9081 | Proofreaders and Copy Markers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
Common questions
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What types of writing can I specialize in?+
You can specialize in general writing, creative writing, technical writing, and rhetoric.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 9,800 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most positions require at least a Bachelor's degree.
How much do Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates earn?+
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,647, College Scorecard (2019); the Editors occupation pays about $90,060 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies?+
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies maps to CIP 23.13 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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