Bachelor's-16% vs national median228 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Purdue University
Ranked 80th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$38,738
middle 50%: $26,303 – $50,381
Median · 5 years out
$48,030
middle 50%: $35,888 – $69,584
Median · 10 years out
$61,332
middle 50%: $52,322 – $106,266
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 Writing Studies graduates earn $39k in their first year. Median earnings hit $61k after 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
8.3 yrs
≈ $9,681 total interest
Same major at other universities
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
$49,073 · 5 yrs out
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
University of Northern Iowa
$47,574 · 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
Other majors at Purdue University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,628 · 5 yrs out