Bachelor's-9% vs national median240 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Missouri State University
Ranked 62nd of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,570
middle 50%: $25,850 – $47,169
Median · 5 years out
$52,190
middle 50%: $41,163 – $69,033
Median · 10 years out
$68,521
middle 50%: $51,223 – $94,389
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
Missouri State University rhetoric and writing graduates start with a median of $37k. Ten-year earnings reach $69k after climbing to $52k at year five.
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
7.9 yrs
≈ $9,419 total interest
Same major at other universities
Missouri Western State University
$52,920 · 5 yrs out
Sweet Briar College
$52,920 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Morris
$52,527 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$52,401 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Berks
$52,354 · 5 yrs out
CUNY York College
$52,354 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$52,116 · 5 yrs out
Weber State University
$51,600 · 5 yrs out
Montana Technological University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$51,159 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$50,881 · 5 yrs out
Texas Southern University
$50,539 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Missouri State University
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$104,078 · 5 yrs out
Military Science, Leadership and Operational Art (Master's)
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$101,595 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,668 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$86,597 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,367 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$86,086 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$83,858 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$79,076 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$77,706 · 5 yrs out