Bachelor's-4% vs national median383 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Colorado Denver
Ranked 45th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$39,232
middle 50%: $28,566 – $54,718
Median · 5 years out
$54,788
middle 50%: $38,536 – $78,750
Median · 10 years out
$69,515
middle 50%: $50,591 – $100,153
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
Rhetoric and Composition graduates from the University of Colorado Denver earn a median first-year salary of $39k. After ten years, earnings typically rise to $70k.
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
7.6 yrs
≈ $8,827 total interest
Same major at other universities
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$56,007 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$55,851 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$55,728 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$55,577 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$55,525 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$55,307 · 5 yrs out
Georgia College & State University
$54,496 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
$54,281 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$54,177 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$54,110 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$53,753 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Colorado Denver
Medicine (Doctorate)
$178,970 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$155,373 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$152,313 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$148,489 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$147,946 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$127,868 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$123,737 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$122,754 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$110,938 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$105,332 · 5 yrs out