Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 7 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale · Debt not reported$56,6322Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst · $23,250 federal debt$47,0523Illinois CollegeJacksonville · Debt not reported$45,7164University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · $23,250 federal debt$44,0045Columbia College ChicagoChicago · $27,000 federal debt$39,7516Knox CollegeGalesburg · $26,976 federal debt$38,9677Augustana CollegeRock Island · Debt not reported$33,950
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
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
- $77,570
- Middle 50% wage range
- $51,090–$102,600
- State employment
- 2,570
- Projected growth
- 0.0%
- Annual openings
- 4,500
27-3041Editors
- State median wage
- $76,060
- Middle 50% wage range
- $62,370–$100,750
- State employment
- 4,560
- Projected growth
- -1.1%
- Annual openings
- 7,900
27-3043Writers and Authors
- State median wage
- $68,220
- Middle 50% wage range
- $43,440–$97,280
- State employment
- 2,640
- Projected growth
- -0.3%
- Annual openings
- 11,900
25-1199Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
- State median wage
- $59,590
- Middle 50% wage range
- $31,200–$76,790
- State employment
- 990
- Projected growth
- +2.0%
- Annual openings
- 12,500
27-3042Technical Writers
- State median wage
- $88,700
- Middle 50% wage range
- $73,140–$106,650
- State employment
- 1,040
- Projected growth
- +0.8%
- Annual openings
- 3,200
43-9081Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- State median wage
- $50,060
- Middle 50% wage range
- $37,770–$59,350
- State employment
- 300
- Projected growth
- -0.9%
- Annual openings
- 1,100
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; 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 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | $56,632 | Not available |
| 2 | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | $47,052 | $23,250 |
| 3 | Illinois College | Jacksonville | $45,716 | Not available |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $44,004 | $23,250 |
| 5 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | $39,751 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Knox College | Galesburg | $38,967 | $26,976 |
| 7 | Augustana College | Rock Island | $33,950 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Illinois
What do Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 7 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $44,004 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $23,250 among the 4 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.