Bachelor's+6% vs national median1,104 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Clemson University
Ranked 26th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$40,621
middle 50%: $28,969 – $51,458
Median · 5 years out
$60,926
middle 50%: $46,609 – $81,788
Median · 10 years out
$77,712
middle 50%: $53,116 – $111,829
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 earn a median $41k in their first year. Ten-year earnings reach $78k.
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
6.9 yrs
≈ $8,127 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$62,762 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$62,459 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University
$61,588 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$61,309 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$61,085 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Tyler
$60,144 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Downtown
$60,042 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$58,829 · 5 yrs out
Elmhurst University
$57,781 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$57,672 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$57,471 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Clemson University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$151,716 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$141,351 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$138,614 · 5 yrs out
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Bachelor's)
$133,128 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$124,978 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$123,290 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$110,498 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Master's)
$109,693 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$105,918 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$105,528 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Engineering (Certificate)
$103,837 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Certificate)
$103,837 · 5 yrs out