Best colleges for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Central Washington University and Western Washington University are the top bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Washington by graduate earnings. University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,758, College Scorecard. Western Washington University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus and Central Washington University award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Washington: 91, 47 and 43 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Washington colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies and award 333 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 5 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 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,758 | 47 | 85% | — | $17,872 |
| 2 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,832 | 43 | 54% | — | $23,224 |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,116 | 91 | 65% | — | $18,064 |
| 4 | Seattle University Seattle Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,663 | 13 | 76% | $31,900 | $24,500 |
| 5 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,251 | 9 | 68% | $35,057 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Washington
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 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public | 91 | $27,116 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 47 | $29,758* |
| 3 | Central Washington University Ellensburg Public | 43 | $27,832 |
| 4 | Eastern Washington University Cheney Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 5 | Washington State University Pullman Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma Public | 21 | $29,758* |
| 7 | The Evergreen State College Olympia Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 8 | Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 9 | Seattle University Seattle Private not-for-profit | 13 | $32,663 |
| 10 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Washington colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell | Public | 8 |
| Whitman College | Walla Walla | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Walla Walla University | College Place | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees?+
Western Washington University (91 graduates a year), University of Washington-Seattle Campus (47 graduates a year) and Central Washington University (43 graduates a year) award the most Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Washington colleges offer Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
What is the best college for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Washington?+
By graduate earnings, University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads among bachelor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in Washington, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,758, College Scorecard. Central Washington University and Western Washington University follow. By degrees awarded, Western Washington University is the largest, with 91 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Washington-Seattle Campus tops the list at $29,758. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Editors earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Editors in Washington is $83,960 (median $77,850), across about 1,860 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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