Rhetoric and Composition: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for students passionate about the power of language and communication, this program explores the theoretical foundations and real-world applications of rhetoric and composition. It equips learners with advanced skills in analyzing, creating, and teaching written, visual, and digital texts across diverse contexts.
- Historical and contemporary rhetoric/composition theories: Examines foundational and modern frameworks that shape how language influences thought, persuasion, and meaning-making across time and culture.
- Text composition and critical analysis: Develops expertise in crafting and evaluating written, visual, and multimedia texts, emphasizing clarity, structure, and rhetorical effectiveness.
- Cultural and cross-cultural literacy practices: Investigates how reading, writing, and communication vary across communities, identities, and global contexts, fostering inclusive and socially aware approaches to language use.
- Writing program administration: Prepares students to lead, design, and manage academic writing initiatives, including curriculum development, assessment strategies, and faculty support in educational institutions.
Rhetoric and Composition Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Rhetoric and Composition Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Rhetoric and Composition degrees, including Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary and Editors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 354,400 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1123 | $78,270 | $47,540 - $154,800 | 59,590 | N/A |
| Editors 27-3041 | $75,260 | $36,200 - $140,840 | 95,480 | $36.18 |
| Writers and Authors 27-3043 | $72,270 | $41,080 - $133,680 | 47,800 | $34.75 |
Rhetoric and Composition Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,105 in Arkansas to $101,483 in California—a 95% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 354,400 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Rhetoric and Composition by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 86 institutions offering Rhetoric and Composition programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Rhetoric and Composition is found at University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (136 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (132 graduates), Old Dominion University (ODU) (118 graduates), West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) (90 graduates), and Clemson University (78 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,400 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
136 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
132 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Bachelor's
|
118 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
90 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
|
78 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
65 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
49 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
42 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
29 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| University of Richmond (UR) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | University of Richmond, Virginia | Private | richmond.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Wabash College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Crawfordsville, Indiana | Private | wabash.edu |
| University of Montevallo |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Montevallo, Alabama | Public | montevallo.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
14 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Elmhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Elmhurst, Illinois | Private | elmhurst.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | greensburg.pitt.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
11 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | Public | upj.pitt.edu |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | ship.edu |
| George Mason University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Morris, Minnesota | Public | morris.umn.edu |
| CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | kbcc.cuny.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Marshall University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Huntington, West Virginia | Public | marshall.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Laney College |
Associate's
|
8 | Oakland, California | Public | laney.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNK) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Kearney, Nebraska | Public | unk.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Master's
|
7 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Stark State College |
Associate's
|
7 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Shawnee State University (SSU) |
Master's
|
6 | Portsmouth, Ohio | Public | shawnee.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Clark Atlanta University (CAU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | cau.edu |
| Georgia College & State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gcsu.edu |
| Illinois College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Jacksonville, Illinois | Private | ic.edu |
| Goucher College |
Master's
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | goucher.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Bradford, Pennsylvania | Public | upb.pitt.edu |
| University of Houston (UHD) |
Master's
|
5 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhd.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| Bates College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lewiston, Maine | Private | bates.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Del Mar College (DMC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | delmar.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
3 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Northern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Public | northern.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Master's
|
3 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Scripps College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Claremont, California | Private | scrippscollege.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Mishawaka, Indiana | Private | betheluniversity.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Itta Bena, Mississippi | Public | mvsu.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| CUNY York College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Jamaica, New York | Public | york.cuny.edu |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Alva, Oklahoma | Public | nwosu.edu |
| Black Hills State University (BHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Spearfish, South Dakota | Public | bhsu.edu |
| Sul Ross State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Alpine, Texas | Public | sulross.edu |
| Oglethorpe University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | oglethorpe.edu |
| Coe College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Private | coe.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
1 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
1 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Other Award
|
1 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| Hill College |
Associate's
|
1 | Hillsboro, Texas | Public | hillcollege.edu |
| Temple College |
Associate's
|
1 | Temple, Texas | Public | templejc.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Rhetoric and Composition programs
How much can I earn with a Rhetoric and Composition degree?
Salaries for Rhetoric and Composition graduates vary by role and location. Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn a median of $78,490 annually, while English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $78,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $101,483 compared to $52,105 in Arkansas. Approximately 354,400 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Rhetoric and Composition programs?
Currently 86 accredited institutions offer Rhetoric and Composition degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (136 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (132 graduates), and Old Dominion University (ODU) (118 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Rhetoric and Composition growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 6,888 in 2010 to a peak of 2,492 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,400 in 2023-24. This represents a 80% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Rhetoric and Composition degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, and Editors. Related occupations employ approximately 354,400 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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