WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-17% vs national median186 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Michigan

Ranked 82nd of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$30,484
middle 50%: $22,905 – $44,030
Median · 5 years out
$47,492
middle 50%: $32,516 – $69,669
Median · 10 years out
$74,301
middle 50%: $53,578 – $107,552

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 Michigan's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $30,484 one year after graduating, rising to $74,301 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 17% below the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 82nd 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
8.6 yrs
≈ $10,719 total interest

Same major at other universities

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 Northern Iowa
$47,574 · 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
Monmouth College
$46,093 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Michigan

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$148,552 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 5 yrs out

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