by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 81 U.S. colleges awarded 1,367 degrees and certificates in Rhetoric & Composition. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 80% of graduates. College Factual ranks 28 schools in its 2027 Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $34,712 one year after completing, rising to $52,903 after four years.
A degree in Rhetoric & Composition covers Rhetoric And Composition. A Program That Focuses On The Humanistic And Scientific Study Of Rhetoric, Composition, Literacy, And Language/linguistic Theories And Their Practical And Pedagogical Applications. Includes Instruction In Historical And Contemporary Rhetoric/composition Theories; Composition And Criticism Of Written, Visual, And Mixed-Media Texts; Analysis Of Literacy Practices In Cultural And Cross-Cultural Contexts; And Writing Program Administration. Examples: [Rhetoric And Writing], [Rhetoric And Writing Studies], [Rhetoric And Composition].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., rhetoric & composition is a widely-pursued major, with 1,367 degrees awarded annually. 81 colleges award rhetoric & composition degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 138.
By level, the 1,367 awards include 43 associate degrees, 1,096 bachelor’s degrees, 143 master’s degrees and 85 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of rhetoric & composition degrees and certificates in the latest year (876 of 1,367). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (823) and Black or African American (169), and international students earned 55.
College Factual ranks 28 schools in its 2027 Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools ranking, including 23 for bachelor’s degrees, 5 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks rhetoric & composition schools within 15 states. In all, 81 colleges offer rhetoric & composition programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common rhetoric & composition credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,096 of the 1,367 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to rhetoric & composition call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Instructing, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a rhetoric & composition degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 43 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,096 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 143 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 85 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to rhetoric & composition, at 44.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.9% |
| Master’s degree | 24.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 8.9% |
| Some college courses | 7.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.0% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Rhetoric & Composition, with an average median salary of $78,313; the strongest outlook belongs to English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Teacher, Instructor and Assistant Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to rhetoric & composition, at 1,273,615.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
| Editors | 11,763 | 3.2% |
Rhetoric & Composition graduates earn a median $34,712 one year after completing their program, $52,903 after four years and $51,929 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,712 |
| 4 years | $52,903 |
| 5 years | $51,929 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to rhetoric & composition is Editors, with a median salary of $100,346.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Editors | $100,346 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,195 |
Rhetoric & Composition has 4 similar majors in the English Language & Literature field, which together award 12,502 degrees a year; the largest are Creative Writing (7,430), Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing (3,756) and Writing, General (727). Browse all English Language & Literature majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 7,430 |
| Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing | 3,756 |
| Writing, General | 727 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other | 589 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
