Bachelor's+16% vs national median359 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Texas at Austin
Ranked 13th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$42,891
middle 50%: $30,938 – $59,897
Median · 5 years out
$66,572
middle 50%: $48,698 – $95,189
Median · 10 years out
$94,732
middle 50%: $58,659 – $153,130
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 start with a median salary of $43k. Earnings reach $67k at five years and $95k by year ten.
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
6.4 yrs
≈ $7,500 total interest
Same major at other universities
Wabash College
$70,012 · 5 yrs out
College of Saint Benedict
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Saint John's University
$68,098 · 5 yrs out
Binghamton University
$67,438 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$67,254 · 5 yrs out
George Mason University
$67,236 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$65,807 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$65,774 · 5 yrs out
Providence College
$65,194 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$64,811 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$63,387 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Texas at Austin
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$215,480 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$206,592 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$182,751 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$179,117 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$179,117 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$173,536 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$167,891 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$164,408 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$160,721 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$159,387 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$156,021 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$147,611 · 5 yrs out