WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-6% vs national median653 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 50th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$35,826
middle 50%: $25,737 – $46,522
Median · 5 years out
$54,051
middle 50%: $39,593 – $70,319
Median · 10 years out
$71,168
middle 50%: $50,065 – $96,348

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 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $35,826 one year after graduating, rising to $71,168 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 6% below the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 50th 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
7.8 yrs
≈ $9,298 total interest

Same major at other universities

Tarleton State University
$54,857 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Denver
$54,788 · 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
Kent State University
$53,753 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Cortland
$53,485 · 5 yrs out
Agnes Scott College
$53,181 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$53,107 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$53,003 · 5 yrs out
Missouri Western State University
$52,920 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

English Language and Literature, General
Compare universities
English Language and Literature/Letters
Compare universities
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
Compare universities
Literature
Compare universities