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

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

9Programs reporting earnings

$60,371Median year-4 earnings

Not availableMedian federal debt

0Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

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

1San Diego State UniversitySan Diego · Debt not reported$73,113 2University of San FranciscoSan Francisco · Debt not reported$71,471 3Chapman UniversityOrange · Debt not reported$65,144 4San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco · Debt not reported$62,221 5University of California, RiversideRiverside · Debt not reported$60,371 6Antioch University-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara · Debt not reported$57,116 7Antioch University-Los AngelesCulver City · Debt not reported$57,116 8National UniversitySan Diego · Debt not reported$54,662 9California Institute of the ArtsValencia · Debt not reported$34,026

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	San Diego State University	San Diego	$73,113	Not available
2	University of San Francisco	San Francisco	$71,471	Not available
3	Chapman University	Orange	$65,144	Not available
4	San Francisco State University	San Francisco	$62,221	Not available
5	University of California, Riverside	Riverside	$60,371	Not available
6	Antioch University-Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara	$57,116	Not available
7	Antioch University-Los Angeles	Culver City	$57,116	Not available
8	National University	San Diego	$54,662	Not available
9	California Institute of the Arts	Valencia	$34,026	Not available

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 master's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 9 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $60,371 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. San Diego State University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.