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
Colorado State University rhetoric majors earn $38k in their first year. Median pay reaches $58k at five years and $73k at ten years.
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
University of North Texas
$61,309 · 5 yrs out
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
Other majors at Colorado State University
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
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$106,400 · 5 yrs out