Bachelor's+3% vs national median935 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Ranked 29th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$39,708
middle 50%: $27,966 – $50,687
Median · 5 years out
$58,829
middle 50%: $42,689 – $79,631
Median · 10 years out
$85,354
middle 50%: $59,491 – $128,446
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 bachelor's graduates start with a median salary of $40k. Earnings increase to $59k at five years and $85k 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
7.1 yrs
≈ $8,354 total interest
Same major at other universities
Metropolitan State University
$61,588 · 5 yrs out
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
Elmhurst University
$57,781 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$57,672 · 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
Other majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$226,077 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$206,093 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$177,207 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$176,681 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$173,815 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$164,239 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$159,201 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$152,834 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$151,479 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$126,011 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$125,106 · 5 yrs out