Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs
CIP 2313 · English Language & Literature · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
188 institutions report graduate earnings for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $51,486 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52× and 72% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 74 of the 214 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
National ranking
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPA · Master's | $129,192 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +101% | — |
| 2 | University of RichmondVA · Bachelor's | $81,253 n=19 | — | $22,227 | 0.27× | Above +114% | — |
| 3 | University of North TexasTX · Master's | $80,536 n=19 | 90% 5yr | $25,918 | 0.32× | Above +23% | Below 1/2 |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Master's | $79,084 n=53 | 77% 5yr | $33,763 | 0.43× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 5 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Master's | $78,716 n=26 | — | $29,204 | 0.37× | Above +23% | — |
| 6 | University at AlbanyNY · Master's | $76,461 n=18 | 70% 1yr | — | — | Above +8% | — |
| 7 | University of UtahUT · Bachelor's | $75,686 n=16 | — | $18,500 | 0.24× | Above +90% | — |
| 8 | Texas Tech UniversityTX · Master's | $75,064 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +14% | — |
| 9 | Boise State UniversityID · Master's | $73,481 n=19 | — | — | — | Above +38% | — |
| 10 | San Diego State UniversityCA · Master's | $73,113 n=25 | — | $47,128 | 0.65× | Below -3% | — |
| 11 | Northeastern UniversityMA · Master's | $72,910 n=21 | 84% 1yr | — | — | Below -4% | — |
| 12 | Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Master's | $72,910 n=21 | 84% 1yr | — | — | Below -4% | — |
| 13 | University of San FranciscoCA · Master's | $71,471 n=20 | 81% 1yr | $51,250 | 0.72× | Below -5% | — |
| 14 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $71,205 n=28 | 96% 5yr | $22,750 | 0.32× | Above +89% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Iowa State UniversityIA · Bachelor's | $69,673 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +81% | — |
| 16 | University of California-BerkeleyCA · Bachelor's | $69,373 n=41 | 78% 5yr | $13,000 | 0.19× | Above +80% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | New York UniversityNY · Master's | $69,371 n=39 | 72% | $44,551 | 0.64× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 18 | Duquesne UniversityPA · Doctoral | $68,788 n=20 | 84% 1yr | — | — | Above +7% | — |
| 19 | Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Master's | $68,762 n=17 | 78% 1yr | — | — | Above +9% | — |
| 20 | Hobart William Smith CollegesNY · Bachelor's | $68,522 n=18 | — | $27,000 | 0.39× | Above +80% | — |
| 21 | Towson UniversityMD · Master's | $68,342 n=24 | — | — | — | Below -10% | Below 2/2 |
| 22 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's | $68,314 n=96 | 100% | $21,323 | 0.31× | Above +91% | Clears 2/2 |
| 23 | The New SchoolNY · Master's | $67,958 n=83 | 72% | $41,000 | 0.60× | Below -4% | Below 2/2 |
| 24 | Saint Johns UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $67,607 n=22 | — | $25,676 | 0.38× | Above +69% | — |
| 25 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusNJ · Master's | $67,441 n=36 | 91% 1yr | $37,523 | 0.56× | Below -12% | — |
| 26 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusNJ · Master's | $67,441 n=36 | 91% 1yr | $37,523 | 0.56× | Below -12% | — |
| 27 | Clemson UniversitySC · Bachelor's | $67,102 n=54 | 86% 5yr | $20,250 | 0.30× | Above +95% | Clears 2/2 |
| 28 | Savannah College of Art and DesignGA · Master's | $66,625 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +5% | — |
| 29 | University of Houston-DowntownTX · Master's | $66,115 n=22 | — | $37,201 | 0.56× | Above +1% | — |
| 30 | Wabash CollegeIN · Bachelor's | $65,605 n=24 | 86% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.41× | Above +75% | — |
| 31 | Indiana University-EastIN · Grad cert | $65,582 n=20 | — | — | — | Above +13% | — |
| 32 | Miami University-OxfordOH · Master's | $65,408 n=20 | — | — | — | Above +4% | — |
| 33 | Texas State UniversityTX · Master's | $65,348 n=53 | 87% 5yr | $31,917 | 0.49× | Below +0% | Below 2/2 |
| 34 | Warren Wilson CollegeNC · Master's | $65,232 n=29 | — | $31,767 | 0.49× | Above +11% | — |
| 35 | Chapman UniversityCA · Master's | $65,144 n=16 | 71% 5yr | $57,958 | 0.89× | Below -13% | Below 2/2 |
| 36 | College of Saint BenedictMN · Bachelor's | $64,449 n=37 | — | $25,480 | 0.40× | Above +61% | — |
| 37 | Johns Hopkins UniversityMD · Bachelor's | $63,503 n=36 | 68% 5yr | $13,728 | 0.22× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 38 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · UG cert | $63,139 n=49 | 95% 5yr | $26,697 | 0.42× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 39 | Loyola University MarylandMD · Bachelor's | $62,745 n=27 | 59% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.43× | Above +49% | — |
| 40 | University of North TexasTX · Bachelor's | $62,703 n=137 | 56% | $17,931 | 0.29× | Above +75% | Clears 2/2 |
| 41 | George Mason UniversityVA · Master's | $62,682 n=41 | 88% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.65× | Below -12% | Below 2/2 |
| 42 | Marquette UniversityWI · Bachelor's | $62,473 n=30 | 80% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.40× | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 43 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $62,383 n=264 | 65% | $20,000 | 0.32× | Above +64% | Clears 2/2 |
| 44 | Eastern Washington UniversityWA · Master's | $62,225 n=20 | 75% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.42× | Below -17% | Below 2/2 |
| 45 | San Francisco State UniversityCA · Master's | $62,221 n=30 | 70% 5yr | $29,503 | 0.47× | Below -17% | Below 2/2 |
| 46 | University of Nebraska at KearneyNE · Bachelor's | $61,941 n=18 | 69% 5yr | $20,328 | 0.33× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 47 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $61,676 n=79 | 88% 5yr | $23,495 | 0.38× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 48 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $61,676 n=79 | 88% 5yr | $23,495 | 0.38× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 49 | Miami University-OxfordOH · Bachelor's | $61,474 n=95 | 59% | $23,250 | 0.38× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 50 | Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $61,159 n=46 | — | $23,250 | 0.38× | Above +61% | — |
| 51 | CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNY · Master's | $60,959 n=24 | — | — | — | Below -14% | — |
| 52 | Texas Tech UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $60,563 n=111 | 82% 5yr | $20,494 | 0.34× | Above +69% | Clears 2/2 |
| 53 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's | $60,415 n=244 | 88% | $18,689 | 0.31× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 54 | University of California-RiversideCA · Master's | $60,371 n=59 | 80% 5yr | $48,635 | 0.81× | Below -20% | Below 2/2 |
| 55 | Seattle UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $60,291 n=19 | — | $23,000 | 0.38× | Above +41% | — |
| 56 | The University of Texas at El PasoTX · Master's | $59,922 n=20 | 81% 5yr | $37,705 | 0.63× | Below -9% | Below 2/2 |
| 57 | DePaul UniversityIL · Master's | $59,820 n=38 | 74% 5yr | $34,166 | 0.57× | Below -13% | Below 2/2 |
| 58 | Metropolitan State UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $59,779 n=30 | 74% 5yr | $13,095 | 0.22× | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 59 | Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOH · Master's | $59,450 n=35 | 72% 1yr | $23,588 | 0.40× | Below -5% | — |
| 60 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonTX · Bachelor's | $59,430 n=54 | 80% 5yr | $12,917 | 0.22× | Above +66% | Clears 2/2 |
| 61 | North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Master's | $59,425 n=24 | 59% 1yr | $38,036 | 0.64× | Above +1% | — |
| 62 | Grand Canyon UniversityAZ · Bachelor's | $59,281 n=39 | 52% 1yr | $21,500 | 0.36× | Above +61% | — |
| 63 | San Francisco State UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $59,032 n=80 | 51% | $16,689 | 0.28× | Above +54% | Clears 2/2 |
| 64 | Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · Bachelor's | $58,918 n=80 | 69% | $17,813 | 0.30× | Above +42% | Clears 2/2 |
| 65 | Rutgers University-CamdenNJ · Master's | $58,664 n=28 | 67% 1yr | — | — | Below -24% | Below 2/2 |
| 66 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Master's | $58,664 n=28 | 67% 1yr | — | — | Below -24% | Below 2/2 |
| 67 | Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Master's | $58,664 n=28 | 67% 1yr | — | — | Below -24% | Below 2/2 |
| 68 | Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $58,484 n=137 | 67% | $20,045 | 0.34× | Above +64% | Clears 2/2 |
| 69 | St. Joseph's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's | $57,305 n=114 | 97% | $21,500 | 0.38× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 70 | University at AlbanyNY · Bachelor's | $57,286 n=20 | 100% | $21,500 | 0.38× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 71 | Columbia College ChicagoIL · Master's | $57,240 n=40 | 76% 5yr | $48,604 | 0.85× | Below -16% | Below 2/2 |
| 72 | James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $57,179 n=50 | 88% 5yr | $21,891 | 0.38× | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 73 | Antioch UniversityOH · Master's | $57,116 n=46 | 50% 1yr | $44,312 | 0.78× | Below -9% | — |
| 74 | Antioch University-Los AngelesCA · Master's | $57,116 n=46 | 50% 1yr | $44,312 | 0.78× | Below -24% | — |
| 75 | Antioch University-Santa BarbaraCA · Master's | $57,116 n=46 | 50% 1yr | $44,312 | 0.78× | Below -24% | — |
| 76 | University of Pittsburgh-BradfordPA · Bachelor's | $57,012 n=328 | 56% | $24,046 | 0.42× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 77 | University of Pittsburgh-GreensburgPA · Bachelor's | $57,012 n=328 | 56% | $24,046 | 0.42× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 78 | University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownPA · Bachelor's | $57,012 n=328 | 56% | $24,046 | 0.42× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 79 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · Bachelor's | $57,012 n=328 | 56% | $24,046 | 0.42× | Above +51% | Clears 2/2 |
| 80 | Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $56,662 n=68 | 91% 5yr | $24,360 | 0.43× | Above +62% | Clears 2/2 |
| 81 | Northern Arizona UniversityAZ · Master's | $56,638 n=50 | 96% | $30,366 | 0.54× | Below -8% | Below 2/2 |
| 82 | Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIL · Bachelor's | $56,632 n=28 | 81% 5yr | $19,750 | 0.35× | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 83 | Emerson CollegeMA · Master's | $56,485 n=49 | 78% 5yr | $61,500 | 1.09× | Below -25% | — |
| 84 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's | $56,244 n=126 | 41% | $13,984 | 0.25× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 85 | National Louis UniversityIL · Master's | $55,948 n=22 | — | $44,000 | 0.79× | Below -18% | — |
| 86 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Bachelor's | $55,361 n=39 | 70% 5yr | $27,649 | 0.50× | Above +33% | Clears 2/2 |
| 87 | Norwich UniversityVT · Master's | $55,097 n=77 | 61% 1yr | $41,000 | 0.74× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 88 | Missouri State University-SpringfieldMO · Bachelor's | $54,917 n=36 | 92% 5yr | $21,793 | 0.40× | Above +54% | Clears 2/2 |
| 89 | Emory UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $54,848 n=30 | 47% 1yr | $21,000 | 0.38× | Above +55% | — |
| 90 | University of South FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $54,778 n=27 | 100% | $18,862 | 0.34× | Above +62% | Clears 2/2 |
| 91 | National UniversityCA · Master's | $54,662 n=43 | 78% 5yr | $40,760 | 0.75× | Below -27% | Below 2/2 |
| 92 | Fairfield UniversityCT · Master's | $54,424 n=27 | — | $28,105 | 0.52× | Below -27% | Below 2/2 |
| 93 | Old Dominion UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $54,390 n=256 | 48% | $25,000 | 0.46× | Above +43% | Clears 2/2 |
| 94 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Master's | $53,592 n=107 | 48% | $88,235 | 1.65× | Below -25% | Below 2/2 |
| 95 | Liberty UniversityVA · Master's | $53,516 n=19 | 56% 1yr | $37,332 | 0.70× | Below -25% | — |
| 96 | University of Wisconsin-StoutWI · Bachelor's | $53,436 n=42 | 88% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.47× | Above +37% | Clears 2/2 |
| 97 | Minnesota State University-MankatoMN · Master's | $53,250 n=20 | — | — | — | Below -22% | Below 2/2 |
| 98 | Saint Edward's UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $53,151 n=24 | 51% 1yr | $26,000 | 0.49× | Above +49% | Clears 2/2 |
| 99 | Lindenwood UniversityMO · Master's | $53,095 n=90 | 78% 5yr | $38,036 | 0.72× | Below -8% | Below 2/2 |
| 100 | University of Rhode IslandRI · Bachelor's | $52,625 n=27 | 74% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.39× | Above +25% | Clears 2/2 |
| 101 | Hamline UniversityMN · Master's | $52,471 n=50 | 76% 5yr | $45,218 | 0.86× | Below -23% | Below 2/2 |
| 102 | Arcadia UniversityPA · Master's | $52,358 n=18 | — | — | — | Below -18% | — |
| 103 | University of Southern MaineME · Master's | $52,322 n=49 | 61% 1yr | $41,000 | 0.78× | Below -2% | — |
| 104 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonNC · Master's | $52,194 n=23 | 86% 5yr | $42,494 | 0.81× | Below -11% | Below 2/2 |
| 105 | DePauw UniversityIN · Bachelor's | $51,983 n=32 | 83% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.52× | Above +39% | Clears 2/2 |
| 106 | Emerson CollegeMA · Bachelor's | $51,742 n=134 | 79% | $23,776 | 0.46× | Above +19% | Clears 2/2 |
| 107 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstMA · Master's | $51,558 n=23 | — | — | — | Below -32% | — |
| 108 | California State University-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's | $51,414 n=262 | 34% | $12,500 | 0.24× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 109 | The University of AlabamaAL · Master's | $51,194 n=17 | — | — | — | Below -11% | — |
| 110 | Sarah Lawrence CollegeNY · Master's | $51,084 n=57 | 63% | $41,000 | 0.80× | Below -28% | Below 2/2 |
| 111 | Ithaca CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $51,001 n=25 | 80% | $25,000 | 0.49× | Above +34% | Below 1/2 |
| 112 | Saginaw Valley State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $50,875 n=25 | 65% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.51× | Above +45% | Clears 2/2 |
| 113 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Master's | $50,777 n=22 | — | $40,750 | 0.80× | Below -25% | — |
| 114 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts DevelopmentNM · Master's | $50,651 n=24 | — | — | — | Below -4% | Below 2/2 |
| 115 | Drake UniversityIA · Bachelor's | $50,591 n=22 | — | $19,500 | 0.39× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 116 | Spalding UniversityKY · Master's | $50,326 n=34 | 85% 5yr | $51,250 | 1.02× | Below -12% | Below 2/2 |
| 117 | The University of TampaFL · Master's | $50,292 n=32 | 76% 5yr | $43,359 | 0.86× | Below -9% | Below 2/2 |
| 118 | Drury UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $50,287 n=17 | — | $20,186 | 0.40× | Above +41% | — |
| 119 | Drury University-College of Continuing Professional StudiesMO · Bachelor's | $50,287 n=17 | — | $20,186 | 0.40× | Above +41% | — |
| 120 | Lesley UniversityMA · Master's | $50,236 n=39 | — | $41,000 | 0.82× | Below -34% | — |
| 121 | Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $50,120 n=177 | 66% | $26,000 | 0.52× | Above +36% | Clears 2/2 |
| 122 | Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's | $49,918 n=26 | 38% 1yr | $18,875 | 0.38× | Above +33% | Below 1/2 |
| 123 | Binghamton UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $49,366 n=40 | 80% 5yr | $19,300 | 0.39× | Above +30% | Clears 2/2 |
| 124 | Oglethorpe UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $48,774 n=26 | 92% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.55× | Above +38% | Clears 2/2 |
| 125 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusWA · Master's | $48,576 n=30 | 91% 5yr | $72,873 | 1.50× | Below -35% | Below 1/2 |
| 126 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Master's | $48,576 n=30 | 91% 5yr | $72,873 | 1.50× | Below -35% | Below 1/2 |
| 127 | East Tennessee State UniversityTN · Bachelor's | $48,263 n=18 | — | $19,803 | 0.41× | Above +38% | Clears 2/2 |
| 128 | University of New OrleansLA · Master's | $48,203 n=32 | 70% 5yr | $41,812 | 0.87× | Below -16% | Below 2/2 |
| 129 | Savannah College of Art and DesignGA · Bachelor's | $48,189 n=33 | — | $25,000 | 0.52× | Above +37% | Below 1/2 |
| 130 | Chatham UniversityPA · Master's | $48,110 n=39 | 80% | $37,450 | 0.78× | Below -25% | Below 2/2 |
| 131 | Ferris State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $47,823 n=24 | 83% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.45× | Above +36% | Clears 2/2 |
| 132 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Bachelor's | $47,702 n=21 | 67% 5yr | $31,624 | 0.66× | Above +25% | Below 1/2 |
| 133 | Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $47,530 n=35 | 79% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.55× | Above +26% | Clears 2/2 |
| 134 | Queens University of CharlotteNC · Master's | $47,447 n=49 | 80% 5yr | $45,073 | 0.95× | Below -19% | Below 2/2 |
| 135 | Georgia Southern UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $47,439 n=70 | 43% | $25,000 | 0.53× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 136 | Champlain CollegeVT · Bachelor's | $47,141 n=37 | 72% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.55× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 137 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's | $47,124 n=54 | 68% | $14,000 | 0.30× | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 138 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusWA · Bachelor's | $47,124 n=54 | 68% | $14,000 | 0.30× | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 139 | Elmhurst UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $47,052 n=26 | 74% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.46× | Above +25% | Clears 2/2 |
| 140 | University of MontevalloAL · Bachelor's | $46,767 n=21 | — | $25,000 | 0.54× | Above +36% | — |
| 141 | Pacific UniversityOR · Master's | $46,651 n=27 | — | $57,621 | 1.24× | Below -25% | — |
| 142 | University of IowaIA · UG cert | $46,614 n=54 | 61% | $23,750 | 0.51× | Above +21% | Below 1/2 |
| 143 | Manhattanville UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $46,500 n=21 | — | $27,000 | 0.58× | Above +22% | — |
| 144 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Associate | $46,418 n=47 | 100% | $23,438 | 0.51× | Above +26% | Below 1/2 |
| 145 | Loyola University New OrleansLA · Bachelor's | $46,374 n=16 | — | $27,000 | 0.58× | Above +33% | — |
| 146 | Capital UniversityOH · Bachelor's | $46,135 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +25% | — |
| 147 | Illinois CollegeIL · Bachelor's | $45,716 n=21 | — | $27,000 | 0.59× | Above +21% | — |
| 148 | Rhode Island CollegeRI · Bachelor's | $45,378 n=22 | 75% 5yr | $21,410 | 0.47× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 149 | Hamline UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $45,253 n=33 | 77% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.55× | Above +13% | Below 1/2 |
| 150 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Master's | $44,962 n=159 | 57% | $35,077 | 0.78× | Below -19% | Below 2/2 |
| 151 | University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $44,260 n=50 | 82% | $20,850 | 0.47× | Above +20% | Clears 2/2 |
| 152 | Chapman UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $44,183 n=23 | 95% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.44× | Above +15% | Clears 2/2 |
| 153 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's | $44,004 n=30 | 70% | $20,175 | 0.46× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 154 | Roanoke CollegeVA · Bachelor's | $43,974 n=20 | — | $26,584 | 0.60× | Above +16% | — |
| 155 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's | $43,689 n=25 | 59% 1yr | $13,999 | 0.32× | Above +25% | Clears 2/2 |
| 156 | East Carolina UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $43,647 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +27% | — |
| 157 | Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $43,607 n=31 | 93% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.60× | Above +16% | Clears 2/2 |
| 158 | Grand Valley State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $43,552 n=104 | 57% | $24,250 | 0.56× | Above +24% | Clears 2/2 |
| 159 | University of IowaIA · Master's | $43,469 n=44 | 52% | — | — | Below -27% | Below 2/2 |
| 160 | Portland State UniversityOR · Master's | $43,137 n=27 | 100% | $41,000 | 0.95× | Below -31% | Below 2/2 |
| 161 | Youngstown State UniversityOH · Bachelor's | $43,031 n=55 | 60% | $23,085 | 0.54× | Above +17% | Clears 2/2 |
| 162 | Lipscomb UniversityTN · Bachelor's | $42,863 n=23 | — | $17,625 | 0.41× | Above +23% | — |
| 163 | Hamilton CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $42,806 n=16 | — | $18,096 | 0.42× | Above +13% | — |
| 164 | SUNY at Purchase CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $42,372 n=19 | — | $22,846 | 0.54× | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 165 | California State University-San BernardinoCA · Bachelor's | $42,232 n=48 | 56% 5yr | $16,254 | 0.39× | Above +10% | Below 1/2 |
| 166 | School of the Art Institute of ChicagoIL · Master's | $42,100 n=23 | — | $62,718 | 1.49× | Below -39% | — |
| 167 | Seton Hill UniversityPA · Master's | $42,032 n=20 | — | — | — | Below -35% | Below 2/2 |
| 168 | Central Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $41,971 n=40 | 48% 1yr | $20,036 | 0.48× | Below -2% | — |
| 169 | University of Central OklahomaOK · Bachelor's | $41,870 n=26 | — | $18,750 | 0.45× | Above +18% | — |
| 170 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's | $41,637 n=35 | 97% | $19,131 | 0.46× | Above +8% | Clears 2/2 |
| 171 | California State University-Long BeachCA · Bachelor's | $41,123 n=111 | 50% | $15,000 | 0.36× | Above +7% | Below 1/2 |
| 172 | California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtCA · Bachelor's | $41,105 n=69 | 41% | $15,750 | 0.38× | Above +7% | Clears 2/2 |
| 173 | Susquehanna UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $40,989 n=49 | 51% | $27,000 | 0.66× | Above +9% | Below 1/2 |
| 174 | Eastern Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $40,929 n=24 | 61% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.66× | Above +17% | Clears 2/2 |
| 175 | State University of New York at PlattsburghNY · Bachelor's | $40,814 n=16 | 55% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.50× | Above +7% | Below 1/2 |
| 176 | Western Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $40,792 n=38 | 79% | $24,007 | 0.59× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 177 | State University of New York at OswegoNY · Bachelor's | $40,579 n=57 | 54% | $25,000 | 0.62× | Above +7% | Below 1/2 |
| 178 | Taylor UniversityIN · Bachelor's | $40,573 n=17 | — | $18,521 | 0.46× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 179 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusOH · Bachelor's | $40,479 n=26 | — | $25,500 | 0.63× | Above +10% | — |
| 180 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusOH · Bachelor's | $40,479 n=26 | — | $25,500 | 0.63× | Above +10% | — |
| 181 | Ohio University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $40,479 n=26 | — | $25,500 | 0.63× | Above +10% | — |
| 182 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusOH · Bachelor's | $40,479 n=26 | — | $25,500 | 0.63× | Above +10% | — |
| 183 | University of Maine at FarmingtonME · Bachelor's | $40,081 n=28 | — | $26,474 | 0.66× | Above +10% | — |
| 184 | Truman State UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $40,026 n=17 | — | $26,000 | 0.65× | Above +12% | — |
| 185 | Northern Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $39,982 n=28 | — | $23,287 | 0.58× | Above +14% | Below 1/2 |
| 186 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Bachelor's | $39,966 n=423 | 22% | $23,583 | 0.59× | Below -10% | Below 2/2 |
| 187 | Pratt Institute-MainNY · Bachelor's | $39,915 n=24 | — | $24,500 | 0.61× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 188 | CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $39,837 n=27 | — | $15,250 | 0.38× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 189 | Columbia College ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $39,751 n=87 | 55% | $27,000 | 0.68× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 190 | Beloit CollegeWI · Bachelor's | $39,702 n=20 | 68% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.66× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 191 | University of HoustonTX · Bachelor's | $39,645 n=17 | 100% | $24,492 | 0.62× | Above +11% | Clears 2/2 |
| 192 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's | $39,479 n=22 | 82% 5yr | $23,625 | 0.60× | Above +21% | Clears 2/2 |
| 193 | Aquinas CollegeMI · Bachelor's | $39,465 n=16 | — | $22,964 | 0.58× | Above +13% | — |
| 194 | Knox CollegeIL · Bachelor's | $38,967 n=33 | 48% | $26,394 | 0.68× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 195 | University of Puget SoundWA · Bachelor's | $38,871 n=17 | — | $26,998 | 0.69× | Below -9% | — |
| 196 | University of KentuckyKY · Bachelor's | $38,822 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +12% | — |
| 197 | SUNY College at PotsdamNY · Bachelor's | $38,562 n=32 | 62% | $27,000 | 0.70× | Above +1% | Below 1/2 |
| 198 | Western Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $38,460 n=109 | 40% | $17,604 | 0.46× | Below -10% | Below 2/2 |
| 199 | University of EvansvilleIN · Bachelor's | $38,198 n=16 | — | $26,000 | 0.68× | Above +2% | — |
| 200 | University of Nebraska at OmahaNE · Bachelor's | $37,986 n=21 | — | $24,482 | 0.65× | Above +2% | — |
| 201 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonNC · Bachelor's | $37,968 n=36 | 71% 5yr | $26,264 | 0.69× | Above +11% | Clears 2/2 |
| 202 | University of Nevada-Las VegasNV · Master's | $37,596 n=19 | — | — | — | Below -34% | — |
| 203 | Wilkes UniversityPA · Master's | $37,334 n=32 | — | $36,000 | 0.96× | Below -42% | — |
| 204 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Associate | $36,220 n=35 | 46% 1yr | $24,022 | 0.66× | Above +7% | — |
| 205 | University of California-RiversideCA · Bachelor's | $35,583 n=77 | 51% | $20,783 | 0.58× | Below -7% | Below 2/2 |
| 206 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusNJ · Bachelor's | $35,169 n=19 | — | $26,000 | 0.74× | Below -12% | — |
| 207 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusNJ · Bachelor's | $35,169 n=19 | — | $26,000 | 0.74× | Below -12% | — |
| 208 | Stephen F Austin State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $34,743 n=24 | — | $20,429 | 0.59× | Below -3% | Below 2/2 |
| 209 | California Institute of the ArtsCA · Master's | $34,026 n=21 | — | $61,000 | 1.79× | Below -55% | Below 2/2 |
| 210 | Augustana CollegeIL · Bachelor's | $33,950 n=18 | — | $27,000 | 0.80× | Below -10% | — |
| 211 | University of Michigan-FlintMI · Bachelor's | $33,533 n=19 | — | $26,125 | 0.78× | Below -4% | — |
| 212 | Full Sail UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $33,429 n=273 | 57% | $34,544 | 1.03× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 213 | Calvin UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $32,843 n=18 | — | $21,340 | 0.65× | Below -6% | — |
| 214 | University of Central ArkansasAR · Bachelor's | $32,267 n=37 | — | $24,995 | 0.78× | Below -5% | — |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
By state — median earnings, 4 yrs out
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $65,922 | 4 |
| Texas | $60,563 | 13 |
| Minnesota | $59,779 | 7 |
| New Jersey | $58,664 | 7 |
| Arizona | $57,960 | 6 |
| Virginia | $57,179 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,012 | 16 |
| California | $55,889 | 18 |
| Massachusetts | $54,114 | 6 |
| Wisconsin | $53,436 | 3 |
| Georgia | $51,811 | 6 |
| New York | $51,001 | 21 |
| Indiana | $50,950 | 6 |
| New Mexico | $50,651 | 3 |
| Missouri | $50,287 | 5 |
| North Carolina | $49,820 | 6 |
| Iowa | $48,602 | 4 |
| Washington | $47,124 | 9 |
| Ohio | $46,135 | 11 |
| Illinois | $45,716 | 11 |
| Florida | $44,962 | 5 |
| Michigan | $40,929 | 11 |
States with at least 3 reporting Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, by median graduate earnings.
Frequently asked
Which colleges have the highest-paying Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in this dataset are Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia ($129,192), University of Richmond ($81,253), University of North Texas ($80,536). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 74 of the 214 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.