WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+7% vs national median128 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Iowa State University of Science & Technology

Ranked 25th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$43,879
middle 50%: $33,666 – $56,877
Median · 5 years out
$61,085
middle 50%: $50,245 – $70,698
Median · 10 years out
$72,585
middle 50%: $60,886 – $92,587

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 Iowa State University of Science & Technology's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $43,879 one year after graduating, rising to $72,585 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% above the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 25th 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
6.8 yrs
≈ $7,797 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$63,387 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$62,762 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$62,459 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University
$61,588 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$61,309 · 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
Colorado State University
$57,672 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Iowa State University of Science & Technology

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$147,324 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,317 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$136,278 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,825 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$116,045 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$115,806 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$113,881 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$110,315 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$107,785 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,597 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$104,160 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,015 · 5 yrs out

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