Bachelor's-14% vs national median107 grads tracked
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Marshall University
Ranked 75th of 107 bachelor's programs in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$30,177
middle 50%: $23,412 – $41,469
Median · 5 years out
$49,008
middle 50%: $37,154 – $67,942
Median · 10 years out
$67,254
middle 50%: $52,283 – $94,189
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
Marshall University graduates in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earn a median first-year salary of $30k. After ten years, median earnings rise to $67k.
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
8.7 yrs
≈ $10,680 total interest
Same major at other universities
Louisiana Tech University
$49,960 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama in Huntsville
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Monroe
$49,582 · 5 yrs out
University of Saint Thomas
$49,482 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Brooklyn College
$49,399 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
$49,073 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$48,698 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$48,682 · 5 yrs out
Sul Ross State University
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Western Connecticut State University
$48,085 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$48,030 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$47,574 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Marshall University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$223,450 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$186,762 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$176,417 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$115,260 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$105,799 · 5 yrs out
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctorate)
$105,799 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$105,020 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$98,849 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$95,636 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$95,012 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$91,460 · 5 yrs out
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$91,460 · 5 yrs out