South Carolina · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in South Carolina

Ranked by graduate earnings

Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia and Coastal Carolina University award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in South Carolina: 64, 6 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 South Carolina colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 89 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…

Institutions
8
offering CIP 23.13
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
89
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$43,505
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,848
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Technical Writers
$85,310
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Clemson University
Clemson Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,5056487%—$23,250

Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in South Carolina

Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Clemson University
Clemson Public
64$43,505
2University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia Public
6Not reported
3Coastal Carolina University
Conway Public
5Not reported
4College of Charleston
Charleston Public
4Not reported
5Charleston Southern University
Charleston Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
6University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken Public
3Not reported
7Converse University
Spartanburg Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
8Winthrop University
Rock Hill Public
2Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Technical Writers (SOC 27-3042).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+0.6%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~9,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$75,260
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingActive Learning

What Technical Writers earn in South Carolina

Jobs in South Carolina
700
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$85,310
median $82,540
Best-paying metro
$93,210
Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Related careers

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$76,390 avg · 840 jobs
Technical Writers
$85,310 avg · 700 jobs
Writers and Authors
$58,440 avg · 520 jobs
Editors
$67,920 avg · 500 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$44,830 avg · 40 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in South Carolina.

Which South Carolina colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+

Clemson University (64 graduates a year), University of South Carolina-Columbia (6 graduates a year) and Coastal Carolina University (5 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 South Carolina colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.

Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in South Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Clemson University tops the list at $43,505. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Technical Writers earn in South Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Technical Writers in South Carolina is $85,310 (median $82,540), across about 700 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 Technical Writers?+

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).

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in other statesUtahArizonaMarylandRhode IslandColoradoMinnesotaTexasNebraska

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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