Bachelor's-3% vs national median534 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Oregon State University
Ranked 40th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$38,198
middle 50%: $27,762 – $48,842
Median · 5 years out
$55,728
middle 50%: $41,093 – $74,386
Median · 10 years out
$72,656
middle 50%: $53,072 – $105,839
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 graduates see a $38k median salary in year one. Pay reaches $56k at five years and $73k 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
7.5 yrs
≈ $8,842 total interest
Same major at other universities
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
Southeast Missouri State University
$56,249 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Commerce
$56,007 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$55,851 · 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
Tarleton State University
$54,857 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Denver
$54,788 · 5 yrs out
Georgia College & State University
$54,496 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Oregon State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,356 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$171,456 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$162,096 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$162,096 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$139,445 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,207 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$123,582 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$116,256 · 5 yrs out
Biological and Physical Sciences (Bachelor's)
$116,180 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,634 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$109,381 · 5 yrs out