WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-9% vs national median113 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Portland State University

Ranked 59th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$37,915
middle 50%: $25,865 – $51,753
Median · 5 years out
$52,401
middle 50%: $39,752 – $66,707
Median · 10 years out
$61,630
middle 50%: $48,487 – $75,612

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 Portland State University's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $37,915 one year after graduating, rising to $61,630 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 9% below the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 59th 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 yrs
≈ $9,291 total interest

Same major at other universities

Agnes Scott College
$53,181 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$53,107 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$53,003 · 5 yrs out
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
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Berks
$52,354 · 5 yrs out
CUNY York College
$52,354 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$52,190 · 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

Other majors at Portland State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$189,860 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$130,437 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$126,846 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,667 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$120,677 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$116,662 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,474 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,147 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$110,977 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$105,672 · 5 yrs out

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