WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+1% vs national median755 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Colorado State University

Ranked 31st of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,449
middle 50%: $28,392 – $50,724
Median · 5 years out
$57,672
middle 50%: $41,626 – $75,627
Median · 10 years out
$73,093
middle 50%: $51,285 – $100,675

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Colorado State University's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $38,449 one year after graduating, rising to $73,093 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 31st of 107 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,640 total interest

Same major at other universities

Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$61,085 · 5 yrs out
Clemson University
$60,926 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Tyler
$60,144 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Downtown
$60,042 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$58,829 · 5 yrs out
Elmhurst University
$57,781 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$57,471 · 5 yrs out
Sam Houston State University
$57,301 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$56,929 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Stout
$56,563 · 5 yrs out
West Texas A&M University
$56,406 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Missouri State University
$56,249 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Colorado State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$212,009 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$135,185 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$131,863 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$127,509 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$125,457 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,842 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$108,642 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$107,710 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$106,687 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$106,500 · 5 yrs out

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