Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Liberty University, Old Dominion University and George Mason University award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Virginia: 370, 139 and 57 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Virginia colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 749 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…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,114 | 57 | 68% | — | $23,250 |
| 2 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,716 | 139 | 46% | — | $26,000 |
| 3 | Roanoke College Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $19,925 | 7 | 67% | $24,604 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Virginia
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 370 | Not reported |
| 2 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 139 | $35,716 |
| 3 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 57 | $40,114 |
| 4 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 46 | Not reported |
| 5 | Randolph College Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 31 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Richmond University of Richmond Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 7 | Hollins University Roanoke Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 8 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 10 | Radford University Radford Public | 7 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 7 Virginia colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke College | Salem | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Public | 7 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg | Public | 6 |
| Sweet Briar College | Sweet Briar | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Bridgewater College | Bridgewater | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Harrisonburg | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Randolph-Macon College | Ashland | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
Liberty University (370 graduates a year), Old Dominion University (139 graduates a year) and George Mason University (57 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Virginia colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, George Mason University tops the list at $40,114. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Editors earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Editors in Virginia is $89,740 (median $80,590), across about 2,720 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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