Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Tennessee
Ranked by graduates a year
The University of the South, East Tennessee State University and University of Memphis award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in Tennessee: 24, 19 and 9 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Tennessee colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 98 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…
13 institutions offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Tennessee
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of the South Sewanee Private not-for-profit | — | 24 | 80% | $21,573 | — |
| 2 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | — | 19 | 53% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | — | 9 | 51% | — | — |
| 4 | Maryville College Maryville Private not-for-profit | — | 8 | 50% | $20,489 | — |
| 5 | Cumberland University Lebanon Private not-for-profit | — | 7 | 46% | $19,206 | — |
| 6 | Lee University Cleveland Private not-for-profit | — | 7 | 63% | $18,918 | — |
| 7 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | — | 5 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 8 | Carson-Newman University Jefferson City Private not-for-profit | — | 4 | 53% | $19,537 | — |
| 9 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | — | 4 | 54% | — | — |
| 10 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | — | 4 | 74% | — | — |
| 11 | Christian Brothers University Memphis Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 55% | $11,063 | — |
| 12 | Bryan College - Dayton Dayton Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 50% | $16,130 | — |
| 13 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public | — | 2 | 58% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of the South Sewanee Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 2 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 4 | Maryville College Maryville Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 5 | Cumberland University Lebanon Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Lee University Cleveland Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 7 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | Carson-Newman University Jefferson City Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Tennessee colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Bryan College - Dayton | Dayton | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
The University of the South (24 graduates a year), East Tennessee State University (19 graduates a year) and University of Memphis (9 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees and certificates in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Tennessee colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
How much do Editors earn in Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Editors in Tennessee is $66,960 (median $59,550), across about 1,390 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 Editors?+
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).
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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