WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-18% vs national median159 grads tracked

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Western Oregon University

Ranked 86th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$34,756
middle 50%: $27,054 – $43,926
Median · 5 years out
$47,169
middle 50%: $34,107 – $60,196
Median · 10 years out
$65,563
middle 50%: $52,086 – $86,048

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 Western Oregon University's bachelor's program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median $34,756 one year after graduating, rising to $65,563 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 18% below the national median of $57,301 for this field, ranking 86th 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
≈ $10,286 total interest

Same major at other universities

Purdue University
$48,030 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$47,574 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$47,492 · 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
Georgia Southern University
$46,156 · 5 yrs out
Monmouth College
$46,093 · 5 yrs out
McNeese State University
$46,093 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$45,965 · 5 yrs out
Hamline University
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
South Dakota State University
$45,751 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Oregon University

Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$124,373 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$101,595 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$87,883 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$71,338 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$68,424 · 5 yrs out
Chemistry (Bachelor's)
$68,249 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Master's)
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$66,891 · 5 yrs out
Education (Master's)
$66,257 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Master's)
$64,798 · 5 yrs out

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