General
Composition And Rhetoric
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Composition And Rhetoric.
Entry Level Salary
$34,000
Median Salary
$70,000
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,800,000
Entry (Early)
$34,000
Median (Prime)
$70,000
High (Prime)
$78,094
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-150k
+162k
+228k
$25k / yr
-240k
+72k
+138k
$50k / yr
-330k
-18k
+48k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
27
$25k / yr
Never
40
35
$50k / yr
Never
Never
48
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-220%
66%
127%
$50k / yr
-152%
-8%
22%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate31.4%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Writers and authors
4.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$72,270
openings
13,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.6%
Management occupations
4.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$78,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$84,413|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$19,232
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,455|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Elementary and middle school teachers
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$51,410|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Editors
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$22,510
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$75,260
openings
9,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$28,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Secondary school teachers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Technical writers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,287|$91,670
openings
4,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.9%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$213,845
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Marketing managers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,501
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,148|$161,030
openings
34,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Undergrad Certificate | 45 | $44,564 - $63,139 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Associate's Degree | 43 | $36,220 - $50,539 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 388 | $32,267 - $81,253 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Post-bacc Certificate | 9 | Data N/A |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Master's Degree | 243 | $34,026 - $129,192 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Doctoral Degree | 25 | $68,788 - $68,788 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Graduate Certificate | 24 | $65,582 - $65,582 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Level 99 | 5 | Data N/A |