WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-2% vs national median38 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Southeast Missouri State University

Ranked 37th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$40,342
middle 50%: $27,237 – $50,767
Median · 5 years out
$56,249
middle 50%: $49,703 – $69,841
Median · 10 years out
$65,353
middle 50%: $53,343 – $75,525

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 Southeast Missouri State University's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $40,342 one year after graduating, rising to $65,353 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 37th 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
7.4 yrs
≈ $8,590 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
West Texas A&M University
$56,406 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$56,007 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$55,851 · 5 yrs out
Oregon State University
$55,728 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$55,577 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$55,525 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$55,307 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southeast Missouri State University

Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$90,782 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$88,404 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,167 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$80,904 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Physics (Bachelor's)
$80,540 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$80,540 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Master's)
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$75,006 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$74,721 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$73,442 · 5 yrs out

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