Best institutions to study Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
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 a median of $29,647 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | 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 North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,015 | 14 | 61% | — | $19,424 |
| 4 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,553 | 33 | 93% | — | $14,037 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,411 | 29 | 68% | — | $30,114 |
| 6 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,411 | 47 | 0% | — | $30,114 |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,524 | 145 | 94% | $11,888 | $13,728 |
| 8 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,505 | 64 | 87% | — | $23,250 |
| 9 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,267 | 13 | 73% | — | $22,195 |
| 10 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,287 | 48 | 80% | — | $23,750 |
| 11 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,114 | 57 | 68% | — | $23,250 |
| 12 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,943 | 52 | 69% | — | $21,500 |
| 13 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,558 | 21 | 44% | — | $26,680 |
| 14 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,526 | 43 | 32% | — | $19,998 |
| 15 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,713 | 129 | 89% | — | $21,323 |
| 16 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,407 | 104 | 85% | — | $22,375 |
| 17 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,548 | 25 | 55% | — | $21,765 |
| 18 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,446 | 2 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 19 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,244 | 144 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 20 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,205 | 31 | 46% | — | $21,398 |
| 21 | University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,726 | 7 | 58% | — | — |
| 22 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,716 | 139 | 46% | — | $26,000 |
| 23 | University of Pittsburgh - Bradford Bradford, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,700 | 1 | 48% | — | $26,000 |
| 24 | University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Greensburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,700 | 12 | 40% | — | $26,000 |
| 25 | University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown Johnstown, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,700 | 16 | 56% | — | $26,000 |
| 26 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,700 | 262 | 85% | — | $26,000 |
| 27 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,634 | 29 | 77% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,423 | 19 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 29 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,464 | 27 | 58% | — | $25,500 |
| 30 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,339 | 16 | 46% | — | $33,000 |
| 31 | Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,013 | 11 | 79% | $26,585 | $27,000 |
| 32 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,999 | 83 | 55% | — | $14,363 |
| 33 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,556 | 15 | 70% | $20,794 | $23,250 |
| 34 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · Associate degree | $33,514 | 20 | 20% | — | $13,967 |
| 35 | Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,476 | 11 | 84% | $27,178 | $23,083 |
| 36 | Emerson College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,441 | 229 | 77% | $40,982 | $24,250 |
| 37 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,401 | 29 | 81% | — | $25,750 |
| 38 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,228 | 12 | 83% | $41,986 | $24,027 |
| 39 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,205 | 7 | 69% | $17,134 | $26,170 |
| 40 | Seattle University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,663 | 13 | 76% | $31,900 | $24,500 |
| 41 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,431 | 55 | 50% | — | $18,500 |
| 42 | Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,415 | 3 | 54% | $21,022 | $28,000 |
| 43 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,763 | 42 | 50% | — | $26,169 |
| 44 | DePauw University Greencastle, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,640 | 21 | 75% | $20,874 | $27,000 |
| 45 | Saint Edward's University Austin, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,518 | 8 | 63% | $24,630 | $26,000 |
| 46 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,447 | 6 | 55% | — | $25,000 |
| 47 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,239 | 40 | 93% | — | $13,999 |
| 48 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,218 | 118 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 49 | Boise State University Boise, ID Public · Certificate degree | $31,148 | 58 | 60% | — | $21,032 |
| 50 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,016 | 37 | 67% | — | $25,000 |
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.
Concentrations within Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Writing, GeneralCIP 23.1301
A program that focuses on writing for applied and liberal arts purposes
- Creative WritingCIP 23.1302
A program that focuses on the process and techniques of original composition in various literary forms such as the short story, poetry, the novel, and others
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific WritingCIP 23.1303
A program that focuses on professional, technical, business, and scientific writing; and that prepares individuals for academic positions or for professional careers as writers, editors, researchers,
- Rhetoric and CompositionCIP 23.1304
A program that focuses on the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, OtherCIP 23.1399
Any instructional program in rhetoric and composition/writing studies not listed above.
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 of $29,647 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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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