Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 76 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$57,116 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$57,116Median year-4 earnings
$24,422Average institution net-price context
Not availableMedian federal debt
Four useful answers about Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
How much do Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies master's degree graduates earn?
The national median is $57,116 four years after completion across reportable master's degree programs in this federal field.
How much federal debt do graduates have?
A national median federal-debt figure is not reportable for this degree in the current release.
Does the college matter for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies?
Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $50,651 to $65,408 in observed year-4 earnings.
What careers are related to Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies?
DegreeVerdict links this field to 6 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.
Observed national outcomes
$57,116Median reported earnings · year 4
$58,414Average reported earnings · year 5
Not availableMedian federal debt
8thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
6IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
76With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 4 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $54,877
- Federal debt
- $26,698
- Reporting programs
- 4
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $46,418
- Federal debt
- $25,250
- Reporting programs
- 3
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $47,141
- Federal debt
- $25,000
- Reporting programs
- 153
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $57,116
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 76
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $68,788
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $65,582
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$50,651National median$57,11675th percentile$65,408
76 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
PRICE × EARNINGS MAP
Where colleges sit for this exact degree
Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.
$76,461Observed year-4 earnings$42,032
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia$29,689 price · $129,192 earningsUniversity of North Texas$15,649 price · $80,536 earningsJohns Hopkins University$18,809 price · $79,084 earningsCarnegie Mellon University$31,944 price · $78,716 earningsUniversity at Albany$17,167 price · $76,461 earningsTexas Tech University$19,070 price · $75,064 earningsBoise State University$21,610 price · $73,481 earningsSan Diego State University$15,364 price · $73,113 earningsNortheastern University$30,915 price · $72,910 earningsUniversity of San Francisco$41,431 price · $71,471 earningsNew York University$37,050 price · $69,371 earningsKennesaw State University$15,048 price · $68,762 earningsTowson University$17,413 price · $68,342 earningsThe New School$58,741 price · $67,958 earningsFairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus$15,404 price · $67,441 earningsFairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus$22,829 price · $67,441 earningsSavannah College of Art and Design$49,430 price · $66,625 earningsUniversity of Houston-Downtown$10,542 price · $66,115 earningsMiami University-Oxford$28,384 price · $65,408 earningsTexas State University$16,805 price · $65,348 earningsWarren Wilson College$21,249 price · $65,232 earningsChapman University$46,555 price · $65,144 earningsGeorge Mason University$17,915 price · $62,682 earningsEastern Washington University$13,886 price · $62,225 earningsSan Francisco State University$12,278 price · $62,221 earningsCUNY Brooklyn College$3,103 price · $60,959 earningsUniversity of California, Riverside$14,304 price · $60,371 earningsThe University of Texas at El Paso$9,403 price · $59,922 earningsDePaul University$30,902 price · $59,820 earningsBowling Green State University-Main Campus$24,022 price · $59,450 earningsNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh$17,303 price · $59,425 earningsRutgers University-Camden$18,745 price · $58,664 earningsRutgers University-New Brunswick$24,406 price · $58,664 earningsRutgers University-Newark$19,703 price · $58,664 earningsColumbia College Chicago$26,598 price · $57,240 earningsNorthern Arizona University$14,158 price · $56,638 earningsEmerson College$49,180 price · $56,485 earningsNational Louis University$12,641 price · $55,948 earningsNorwich University$22,257 price · $55,097 earningsNational University$22,878 price · $54,662 earningsFairfield University$48,095 price · $54,424 earningsColumbia University in the City of New York$21,590 price · $53,592 earningsLiberty University$29,357 price · $53,516 earningsMinnesota State University-Mankato$19,139 price · $53,250 earningsLindenwood University$19,638 price · $53,095 earningsHamline University$20,744 price · $52,471 earningsArcadia University$29,466 price · $52,358 earningsUniversity of Southern Maine$13,596 price · $52,322 earningsUniversity of North Carolina Wilmington$20,109 price · $52,194 earningsUniversity of Massachusetts-Amherst$22,383 price · $51,558 earningsThe University of Alabama$22,420 price · $51,194 earningsSarah Lawrence College$41,437 price · $51,084 earningsUniversity of New Hampshire-Main Campus$23,805 price · $50,777 earningsInstitute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development$12,570 price · $50,651 earningsSpalding University$25,491 price · $50,326 earningsThe University of Tampa$36,211 price · $50,292 earningsLesley University$31,152 price · $50,236 earningsUniversity of Washington-Seattle Campus$14,091 price · $48,576 earningsUniversity of Washington-Bothell Campus$12,319 price · $48,576 earningsUniversity of New Orleans$12,384 price · $48,203 earningsChatham University$29,954 price · $48,110 earningsQueens University of Charlotte$30,857 price · $47,447 earningsPacific University$35,273 price · $46,651 earningsFull Sail University$38,875 price · $44,962 earningsUniversity of Iowa$22,531 price · $43,469 earningsPortland State University$9,552 price · $43,137 earningsSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago$49,790 price · $42,100 earningsSeton Hill University$22,204 price · $42,032 earningsUniversity of Nevada-Las Vegas$10,359 price · $37,596 earningsWilkes University$27,743 price · $37,334 earningsCalifornia Institute of the Arts$46,080 price · $34,026 earnings
$10,359Annual college-wide average net price$48,095
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 3 programs →Choose colleges offering this exact degree
Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.
75 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia$129,1922University of North Texas$80,5363Johns Hopkins University$79,0844Carnegie Mellon University$78,7165University at Albany$76,4616Texas Tech University$75,0647Boise State University$73,4818San Diego State University$73,1139Northeastern University$72,91010Northeastern University Professional Programs$72,910Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations, wages and demand
Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.
Pay and projected demand
Related careers do not share one outlook
Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection
Higher median wage ↑
-7%Projected employment growth →12%
Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$78,760 median wage57,720 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1123+0.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 4.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$48,270–$137,250 10th–90th percentileEditors$77,920 median wage91,690 U.S. jobs · SOC 27-3041-1.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 7.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$41,250–$153,700 10th–90th percentileWriters and Authors$76,910 median wage47,940 U.S. jobs · SOC 27-3043-0.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 11.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$44,310–$139,870 10th–90th percentilePostsecondary Teachers, All Other$77,640 median wage149,840 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1199+2.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 12.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$44,300–$160,700 10th–90th percentileTechnical Writers$90,390 median wage45,500 U.S. jobs · SOC 27-3042+0.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 3.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$57,440–$145,270 10th–90th percentileProofreaders and Copy Markers$51,120 median wage4,580 U.S. jobs · SOC 43-9081-0.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$34,510–$79,290 10th–90th percentile
BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaMaster's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $129,192 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $29,689 |
| 2 | University of North TexasMaster's Degree | Denton, TX | $80,536 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $15,649 |
| 3 | Johns Hopkins UniversityMaster's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $79,084 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $18,809 |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityMaster's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $78,716 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $31,944 |
| 5 | University at AlbanyMaster's Degree | Albany, NY | $76,461 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $17,167 |
| 6 | Texas Tech UniversityMaster's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $75,064 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $19,070 |
| 7 | Boise State UniversityMaster's Degree | Boise, ID | $73,481 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $21,610 |
| 8 | San Diego State UniversityMaster's Degree | San Diego, CA | $73,113 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $15,364 |
| 9 | Northeastern UniversityMaster's Degree | Boston, MA | $72,910 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $30,915 |
| 10 | Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMaster's Degree | Boston, MA | $72,910 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | Not available |
| 11 | University of San FranciscoMaster's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $71,471 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $41,431 |
| 12 | New York UniversityMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $69,371 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $37,050 |
| 13 | Kennesaw State UniversityMaster's Degree | Kennesaw, GA | $68,762 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $15,048 |
| 14 | Towson UniversityMaster's Degree | Towson, MD | $68,342 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $17,413 |
| 15 | The New SchoolMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $67,958 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $58,741 |
| 16 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusMaster's Degree | Teaneck, NJ | $67,441 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $15,404 |
| 17 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMaster's Degree | Madison, NJ | $67,441 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $22,829 |
| 18 | Savannah College of Art and DesignMaster's Degree | Savannah, GA | $66,625 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $49,430 |
| 19 | University of Houston-DowntownMaster's Degree | Houston, TX | $66,115 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $10,542 |
| 20 | Miami University-OxfordMaster's Degree | Oxford, OH | $65,408 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $28,384 |
| 21 | Texas State UniversityMaster's Degree | San Marcos, TX | $65,348 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $16,805 |
| 22 | Warren Wilson CollegeMaster's Degree | Swannanoa, NC | $65,232 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $21,249 |
| 23 | Chapman UniversityMaster's Degree | Orange, CA | $65,144 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $46,555 |
| 24 | George Mason UniversityMaster's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $62,682 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $17,915 |
| 25 | Eastern Washington UniversityMaster's Degree | Cheney, WA | $62,225 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $13,886 |
| 26 | San Francisco State UniversityMaster's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $62,221 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $12,278 |
| 27 | CUNY Brooklyn CollegeMaster's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $60,959 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $3,103 |
| 28 | University of California, RiversideMaster's Degree | Riverside, CA | $60,371 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $14,304 |
| 29 | The University of Texas at El PasoMaster's Degree | El Paso, TX | $59,922 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $9,403 |
| 30 | DePaul UniversityMaster's Degree | Chicago, IL | $59,820 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $30,902 |
| 31 | Bowling Green State University-Main CampusMaster's Degree | Bowling Green, OH | $59,450 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $24,022 |
| 32 | North Carolina State University at RaleighMaster's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $59,425 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $17,303 |
| 33 | Rutgers University-CamdenMaster's Degree | Camden, NJ | $58,664 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $18,745 |
| 34 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickMaster's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $58,664 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $24,406 |
| 35 | Rutgers University-NewarkMaster's Degree | Newark, NJ | $58,664 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $19,703 |
| 36 | Columbia College ChicagoMaster's Degree | Chicago, IL | $57,240 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $26,598 |
| 37 | Antioch University-Los AngelesMaster's Degree | Culver City, CA | $57,116 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | Not available |
| 38 | Antioch University-Santa BarbaraMaster's Degree | Santa Barbara, CA | $57,116 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | Not available |
| 39 | Antioch UniversityMaster's Degree | Yellow Springs, OH | $57,116 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | Not available |
| 40 | Northern Arizona UniversityMaster's Degree | Flagstaff, AZ | $56,638 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $14,158 |
| 41 | Emerson CollegeMaster's Degree | Boston, MA | $56,485 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $49,180 |
| 42 | National Louis UniversityMaster's Degree | Chicago, IL | $55,948 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $12,641 |
| 43 | Norwich UniversityMaster's Degree | Northfield, VT | $55,097 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $22,257 |
| 44 | National UniversityMaster's Degree | San Diego, CA | $54,662 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $22,878 |
| 45 | Fairfield UniversityMaster's Degree | Fairfield, CT | $54,424 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $48,095 |
| 46 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $53,592 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $21,590 |
| 47 | Liberty UniversityMaster's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | $53,516 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $29,357 |
| 48 | Minnesota State University-MankatoMaster's Degree | Mankato, MN | $53,250 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $19,139 |
| 49 | Lindenwood UniversityMaster's Degree | Saint Charles, MO | $53,095 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $19,638 |
| 50 | Hamline UniversityMaster's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $52,471 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $20,744 |
| 51 | Arcadia UniversityMaster's Degree | Glenside, PA | $52,358 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $29,466 |
| 52 | University of Southern MaineMaster's Degree | Portland, ME | $52,322 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $13,596 |
| 53 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonMaster's Degree | Wilmington, NC | $52,194 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $20,109 |
| 54 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstMaster's Degree | Amherst, MA | $51,558 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $22,383 |
| 55 | The University of AlabamaMaster's Degree | Tuscaloosa, AL | $51,194 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $22,420 |
| 56 | Sarah Lawrence CollegeMaster's Degree | Bronxville, NY | $51,084 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $41,437 |
| 57 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusMaster's Degree | Durham, NH | $50,777 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $23,805 |
| 58 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts DevelopmentMaster's Degree | Santa Fe, NM | $50,651 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $12,570 |
| 59 | Spalding UniversityMaster's Degree | Louisville, KY | $50,326 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $25,491 |
| 60 | The University of TampaMaster's Degree | Tampa, FL | $50,292 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $36,211 |
| 61 | Lesley UniversityMaster's Degree | Cambridge, MA | $50,236 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $31,152 |
| 62 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusMaster's Degree | Seattle, WA | $48,576 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $14,091 |
| 63 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusMaster's Degree | Bothell, WA | $48,576 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $12,319 |
| 64 | University of New OrleansMaster's Degree | New Orleans, LA | $48,203 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $12,384 |
| 65 | Chatham UniversityMaster's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $48,110 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $29,954 |
| 66 | Queens University of CharlotteMaster's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $47,447 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $30,857 |
| 67 | Pacific UniversityMaster's Degree | Forest Grove, OR | $46,651 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $35,273 |
| 68 | Full Sail UniversityMaster's Degree | Winter Park, FL | $44,962 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $38,875 |
| 69 | University of IowaMaster's Degree | Iowa City, IA | $43,469 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $22,531 |
| 70 | Portland State UniversityMaster's Degree | Portland, OR | $43,137 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $9,552 |
| 71 | School of the Art Institute of ChicagoMaster's Degree | Chicago, IL | $42,100 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $49,790 |
| 72 | Seton Hill UniversityMaster's Degree | Greensburg, PA | $42,032 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $22,204 |
| 73 | University of Nevada-Las VegasMaster's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $37,596 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $10,359 |
| 74 | Wilkes UniversityMaster's Degree | Wilkes-Barre, PA | $37,334 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $27,743 |
| 75 | California Institute of the ArtsMaster's Degree | Valencia, CA | $34,026 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | $46,080 |
| 76 | Goddard CollegeMaster's Degree | , | $46,000 | Not available | WithheldBaseline needed | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.