WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-17% vs national median31 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Northern Iowa

Ranked 81st of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$35,145
middle 50%: $27,237 – $39,884
Median · 5 years out
$47,574
middle 50%: $35,757 – $61,121
Median · 10 years out
$57,471
middle 50%: $49,855 – $65,810

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 University of Northern Iowa's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $35,145 one year after graduating, rising to $57,471 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 17% below the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 81st 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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,313 total interest

Same major at other universities

Marshall University
$49,008 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$48,698 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$48,682 · 5 yrs out
Sul Ross State University
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Western Connecticut State University
$48,085 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$48,030 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$47,492 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$47,409 · 5 yrs out
Augsburg University
$47,270 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Purchase
$47,243 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$47,169 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$46,156 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Northern Iowa

Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$105,135 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$104,398 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$100,633 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$97,512 · 5 yrs out
Statistics (Bachelor's)
$96,572 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,427 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$93,171 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$87,912 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$86,740 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$86,334 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$84,400 · 5 yrs out
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out

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