Best institutions to study Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
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, and related careers in business, government, non-profits, and the professions.
161 U.S. institutions graduated 3,683 Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 23.1303, a specialization of Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (CIP 23.13), and leads most directly to the Technical Writers occupation (BLS SOC 27-3042).
About Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing programs
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, and related careers in business, government, non-profits, and the professions. Includes instruction in theories of rhetoric, writing, and digital literacy; document design, production, and management; visual rhetoric and multimedia composition; documentation development; usability testing; web writing; and publishing in print and electronic media.
See also: 09.0908 - Technical and Scientific Communication.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Professional program, focusing on Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing, is designed for individuals interested in developing their writing skills for various professional contexts. This program falls under the broader category of Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and prepares students for careers as writers, editors, and researchers in diverse fields such as business, government, and non-profits.
Learn more about Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing →
Students in this program gain expertise in theories of rhetoric, document design, usability testing, and multimedia composition. Coursework emphasizes essential skills such as writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking, equipping graduates to effectively communicate in professional environments.
Credentials awarded
What Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2,579 graduates / yr · 72 institutions70%
- Bachelor's degree559 graduates / yr · 68 institutions15%
- Master's degree308 graduates / yr · 29 institutions8.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate196 graduates / yr · 31 institutions5.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship11 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.3%
- Associate's degree8 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.2%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,940 |
| 2013 | 1,744 |
| 2014 | 1,629 |
| 2015 | 1,705 |
| 2016 | 2,314 |
| 2017 | 1,816 |
| 2018 | 1,508 |
| 2019 | 3,552 |
| 2020 | 2,442 |
| 2021 | 2,344 |
| 2022 | 3,027 |
| 2023 | 2,795 |
| 2024 | 2,764 |
| 2025 | 3,683 |
Top 50 institutions for Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,845 | 38% | — | — |
| 2 | Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 196 | 58% | — | — |
| 3 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 112 | 47% | — | — |
| 4 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 58 | 43% | $34,565 | $30,077 |
| 5 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 51 | 43% | $21,535 | $31,006 |
| 6 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 49 | 94% | $11,888 | $43,524 |
| 7 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 47 | 0% | — | $44,411 |
| 8 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 46 | 58% | — | $47,377 |
| 9 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 80% | — | — |
| 10 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 43 | 69% | — | $39,943 |
| 11 | Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 34% | — | — |
| 12 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 40 | 69% | $44,902 | $28,418 |
| 13 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 14 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 34 | 52% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 29 | 42% | — | — |
| 16 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 28 | 64% | — | $31,218 |
| 17 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 75% | — | — |
| 18 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 54% | — | $26,242 |
| 19 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 28 | 85% | — | $35,700 |
| 20 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
| 21 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralBachelor's | 24 | 63% | — | — |
| 22 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 60% | — | — |
| 23 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 22 | 83% | — | $25,084 |
| 24 | Middle Georgia State University Macon, GAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 22 | 25% | — | — |
| 25 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor's | 19 | 77% | — | $35,634 |
| 26 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 43% | — | — |
| 27 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 64% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 55% | — | $35,423 |
| 29 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 33% | — | — |
| 30 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 31 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 17 | 61% | — | — |
| 32 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 15 | 80% | — | $42,287 |
| 33 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 45% | — | — |
| 34 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 14 | 68% | — | $44,411 |
| 35 | Columbus Technical College Columbus, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 27% | — | — |
| 36 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicMaster's | 14 | 69% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 83% | — | — |
| 38 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 14 | 81% | — | $33,401 |
| 39 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PAPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 43% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 13 | 47% | — | — |
| 41 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 13 | 75% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 13 | 73% | — | $43,267 |
| 43 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 33% | — | — |
| 44 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 12 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 45 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 11 | 64% | — | — |
| 46 | New England College Henniker, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 35% | $30,086 | — |
| 47 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 11 | 61% | — | $45,015 |
| 48 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 11 | 38% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 10 | 71% | — | — |
| 50 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 10 | 44% | — | $39,558 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies field (CIP 23.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 39 states
Where Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing graduates come from. Each state links to all Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3042, Technical Writers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Professional program can pursue careers as Technical Writers, Editors, and Postsecondary Teachers, among others. The job outlook for these roles shows little or no change, with an estimated 4,500 annual openings and a median wage of $91,670, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 23.1303
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Technical Writersprimary SOC 27-3042 | $90,390 | +0.9% Little or no change | ~4,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Editors SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | Bachelor's degree |
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1123 | $78,760 | 0.0% Little or no change | ~5,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
- Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
- Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
- Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
- Develop or maintain online help documentation.
Tools and technology used
Other Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (CIP 23.13).
Common questions
What types of writing does this program cover?+
The program covers professional, technical, business, and scientific writing.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, document design, and digital literacy.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can pursue careers as Technical Writers, Editors, and Postsecondary Teachers, among others.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 4,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing?+
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing is CIP 23.1303 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (CIP 23.13). NCES defines it as: 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, and related careers in business, government, non-profits, and the professions. Includes instruction in theories of rhetoric, writing, and digital literacy; document design, production, and management; visual rhetoric and multimedia composition; documentation development; usability testing; web writing; and publishing in print and electronic media.
How many institutions offer Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing programs?+
161 U.S. institutions reported Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 39 states, awarding 3,683 credentials in the year. That is 27.7% of all Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates.
How much do Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Technical Writers occupation, which Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing most directly leads to, pays a median of $90,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies field report median earnings of $33,401 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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