General
Composition And Rhetoric
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Composition And Rhetoric.
Entry Level Salary
$37,074
Median Salary
$72,057
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,882,280
Entry (Early)
$37,074
Median (Prime)
$72,057
High (Prime)
$80,000
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
-122k
+181k
+245k
$25k / yr
-212k
+91k
+155k
$50k / yr
-302k
+1k
+65k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
27
$25k / yr
Never
38
34
$50k / yr
Never
64
45
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-195%
84%
143%
$50k / yr
-139%
0%
30%
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).
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate31.3%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Writers and authors
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$42,509
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,951|$76,910
openings
11,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Management occupations
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,747|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Postsecondary teachers
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$19,797
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,084|$82,250
openings
123,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%
Elementary and middle school teachers
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$36,436
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,592|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%
Editors
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$28,964
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,298|$77,920
openings
7,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.1%
Secondary school teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$32,155
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,879|$70,930
openings
70,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.2%
Marketing managers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,984
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$79,000|$166,790
openings
34,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.9%
Technical writers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$75,029
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,388|$90,390
openings
3,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.8%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$28,823
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,136|$48,520
openings
113,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.7%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$140,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$97,164|$155,120
openings
31,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).
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 | 42 | $41,783 - $63,139 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Associate's Degree | 32 | $26,623 - $50,539 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 361 | $27,195 - $81,253 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Post-bacc Certificate | 8 | Data N/A |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Master's Degree | 237 | $34,026 - $129,192 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Doctoral Degree | 25 | $68,788 - $68,788 |
| rhetoric and composition/writing studies. | Graduate Certificate | 21 | $65,582 - $65,582 |