Bachelor's-20% vs national median161 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at South Dakota State University
Ranked 92nd of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$32,920
middle 50%: $23,714 – $42,962
Median · 5 years out
$45,751
middle 50%: $34,970 – $60,590
Median · 10 years out
$59,848
middle 50%: $45,300 – $82,991
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 from South Dakota State University earn $33k in their first year. Median pay reaches $46k after five years and $60k after 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
9 yrs
≈ $10,857 total interest
Same major at other universities
Western Oregon University
$47,169 · 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
Fitchburg State University
$45,075 · 5 yrs out
Truman State University
$44,849 · 5 yrs out
Roanoke College
$44,398 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego)
$42,734 · 5 yrs out
Millikin University
$42,709 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Erie, The Behrend College
$42,709 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at South Dakota State University
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$152,496 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$148,262 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$142,581 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$113,950 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$102,841 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,697 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$93,240 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out