Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelor's degree programs in California

Compare 9 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

9Programs reporting earnings

$42,232Median year-4 earnings

$16,210Median federal debt

8Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · $14,037 federal debt$69,373 2San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco · $18,500 federal debt$59,032 3California State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles · $13,500 federal debt$51,414 4Chapman UniversityOrange · Debt not reported$44,183 5California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino · $16,210 federal debt$42,232 6University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · $19,500 federal debt$41,637 7California State University, Long BeachLong Beach · $15,394 federal debt$41,123 8California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata · $16,500 federal debt$41,105 9University of California, RiversideRiverside · $20,000 federal debt$35,583

CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

25-1123English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

State median wage: $130,490
Middle 50% wage range: $95,900–$167,640
State employment: 5,460
Projected growth: 0.0%
Annual openings: 4,500

10th–90th percentile: $62,360–$216,190

27-3041Editors

State median wage: $98,030
Middle 50% wage range: $71,090–$136,820
State employment: 14,830
Projected growth: -1.1%
Annual openings: 7,900

10th–90th percentile: $52,510–$173,590

27-3043Writers and Authors

State median wage: $86,480
Middle 50% wage range: $75,530–$127,870
State employment: 8,390
Projected growth: -0.3%
Annual openings: 11,900

10th–90th percentile: $56,730–$193,080

25-1199Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

State median wage: $100,690
Middle 50% wage range: $71,310–$141,520
State employment: 37,770
Projected growth: +2.0%
Annual openings: 12,500

10th–90th percentile: $53,830–$175,950

27-3042Technical Writers

State median wage: $104,000
Middle 50% wage range: $84,250–$141,280
State employment: 5,280
Projected growth: +0.8%
Annual openings: 3,200

10th–90th percentile: $69,630–$175,510

43-9081Proofreaders and Copy Markers

State median wage: $57,490
Middle 50% wage range: $45,400–$73,880
State employment: 300
Projected growth: -0.9%
Annual openings: 1,100

10th–90th percentile: $34,320–$81,500

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley	$69,373	$14,037
2	San Francisco State University	San Francisco	$59,032	$18,500
3	California State University, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	$51,414	$13,500
4	Chapman University	Orange	$44,183	Not available
5	California State University, San Bernardino	San Bernardino	$42,232	$16,210
6	University of Southern California	Los Angeles	$41,637	$19,500
7	California State University, Long Beach	Long Beach	$41,123	$15,394
8	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt	Arcata	$41,105	$16,500
9	University of California, Riverside	Riverside	$35,583	$20,000

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in California

What do Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelor's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 9 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $42,232 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The median is $16,210 among the 8 programs reporting federal debt.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. University of California, Berkeley has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.