Best institutions to study Rhetoric and Composition
A program that focuses on the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications.
81 U.S. institutions graduated 1,283 Rhetoric and Composition students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 23.1304, a specialization of Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (CIP 23.13), and leads most directly to the Editors occupation (BLS SOC 27-3041).
About Rhetoric and Composition programs
A program that focuses on the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications. Includes instruction in historical and contemporary rhetoric/composition theories; composition and criticism of written, visual, and mixed-media texts; analysis of literacy practices in cultural and cross-cultural contexts; and writing program administration.
See also: 09.0101 - Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Rhetoric and Composition program, part of the broader Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies field, focuses on the study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language theories. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the humanistic and scientific aspects of communication and writing, as well as their practical applications in various contexts. Students in this program will explore historical and contemporary rhetoric, analyze literacy practices, and gain skills in writing program administration. It is ideal for those looking to enhance their writing and critical thinking abilities while preparing for careers in editing, teaching, and writing.
In the Rhetoric and Composition program, students develop core skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework includes the study of English language and communication theories, as well as practical applications in editing and composition.
Credentials awarded
What Rhetoric and Composition graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,012 graduates / yr · 45 institutions79%
- Master's degree107 graduates / yr · 21 institutions8.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship85 graduates / yr · 18 institutions6.6%
- Associate's degree43 graduates / yr · 7 institutions3.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate15 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year15 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.2%
- Post-master's certificate6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
Rhetoric and Composition completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,541 |
| 2013 | 5,463 |
| 2014 | 5,406 |
| 2015 | 3,466 |
| 2016 | 3,128 |
| 2017 | 3,002 |
| 2018 | 2,967 |
| 2019 | 2,658 |
| 2020 | 2,370 |
| 2021 | 1,787 |
| 2022 | 1,745 |
| 2023 | 1,437 |
| 2024 | 1,329 |
| 2025 | 1,283 |
Top 50 institutions for Rhetoric and Composition, 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 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 129 | 85% | — | $35,700 |
| 2 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicBachelor's | 120 | 46% | — | $35,716 |
| 3 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 96 | 85% | — | $38,407 |
| 4 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 94 | 71% | — | — |
| 5 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 74 | 55% | — | $33,999 |
| 6 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor's | 64 | 87% | — | $43,505 |
| 7 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 57 | 64% | — | $31,218 |
| 8 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 43 | 32% | — | $39,526 |
| 9 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OHPublicBachelor's | 37 | 50% | — | $31,763 |
| 10 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 33 | 93% | — | $44,553 |
| 11 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 32 | 75% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 28 | 78% | — | $26,282 |
| 13 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 24 | 85% | — | $24,225 |
| 14 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 24 | 65% | — | $47,950 |
| 15 | University of Richmond University of Richmond, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 85% | $24,049 | — |
| 16 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicBachelor's | 19 | 53% | — | — |
| 17 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 18 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicBachelor's | 18 | 60% | — | $31,148 |
| 19 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 17 | 28% | — | — |
| 20 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 15 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
| 21 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 70% | $20,794 | $33,556 |
| 22 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 81% | — | $33,401 |
| 23 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicDoctoral | 15 | 68% | — | $40,114 |
| 24 | University of Montevallo Montevallo, ALPublicBachelor's | 12 | 54% | — | — |
| 25 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 12 | 47% | — | $23,508 |
| 26 | University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown Johnstown, PAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 56% | — | $35,700 |
| 27 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAssociate's | 12 | 29% | — | — |
| 28 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 61% | — | — |
| 29 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 68% | — | — |
| 30 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 31 | Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 32 | Bates College Lewiston, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 90% | $18,203 | — |
| 33 | Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OHPublicMaster'sMaster's | 8 | 48% | — | — |
| 34 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicDoctoral | 8 | 50% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NEPublicBachelor's | 7 | 58% | — | $35,726 |
| 36 | Tiffin University Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 40% | $24,126 | — |
| 37 | Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 7 | 77% | $32,060 | — |
| 38 | University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg Greensburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 40% | — | $35,700 |
| 39 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 46% | — | $36,205 |
| 40 | Drake University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 74% | $28,855 | — |
| 41 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 71% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Minnesota - Morris Morris, MNPublicBachelor's | 6 | 63% | — | — |
| 43 | Jackson State University Jackson, MSPublicBachelor's | 6 | 51% | — | — |
| 44 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 6 | 33% | — | — |
| 45 | Goucher College Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 57% | $22,667 | — |
| 46 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 47 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 48 | Sul Ross State University Alpine, TXPublicBachelor's | 5 | 30% | — | — |
| 49 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 86% | $25,823 | — |
| 50 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 68% | — | $26,715 |
* 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 31 states
Where Rhetoric and Composition graduates come from. Each state links to all Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Rhetoric and Composition program can pursue careers as editors, writers, and postsecondary teachers, among other roles. With an annual growth rate of 0.6% and approximately 9,800 annual job openings, the median wage for these positions is $75,260, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 23.1304
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Editorsprimary SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | 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 |
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 Rhetoric and Composition 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
- 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.
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).
- Creative WritingCIP 23.13027,090 graduates / yr448 institutions
- Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific WritingCIP 23.13033,683 graduates / yr161 institutions
- WritingCIP 23.1301674 graduates / yr101 institutions
- Rhetoric and Composition/CIP 23.1399
Writing Studies 581 graduates / yr16 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Rhetoric and Composition.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an editor, writer, or postsecondary teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is stable, with little or no change expected and around 9,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Rhetoric and Composition?+
Rhetoric and Composition is CIP 23.1304 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 the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications. Includes instruction in historical and contemporary rhetoric/composition theories; composition and criticism of written, visual, and mixed-media texts; analysis of literacy practices in cultural and cross-cultural contexts; and writing program administration.
How many institutions offer Rhetoric and Composition programs?+
81 U.S. institutions reported Rhetoric and Composition graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 31 states, awarding 1,283 credentials in the year. That is 9.6% of all Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates.
How much do Rhetoric and Composition graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Editors occupation, which Rhetoric and Composition most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies field report median earnings of $35,700 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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