Rhetoric & Composition is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their rhetoric & composition programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools to find the best for rhetoric & composition students.
Where you study rhetoric & composition matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Rhetoric & Composition School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Rhetoric & Composition in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the rhetoric & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Clemson University tops our 2027 ranking of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. Clemson University awarded about 64 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $43,505 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $44,553 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,037.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #3 makes University Of Richmond one of the top schools for rhetoric & composition. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Richmond awarded about 24 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in rhetoric & composition, ranking #4. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 96 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $38,407 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Students looking for a strong rhetoric & composition program will find one at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 129 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $39,798 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,349 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 32 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $58,659 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree.
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George Mason University placed #8 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 15 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from George Mason University earn around $37,716 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for George Mason University
Michigan State University came in at #9 for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Michigan State University earn around $33,401 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750.
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Depaul University placed #10 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Depaul University earn around $49,334 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from Depaul University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for rhetoric & composition this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $24,225 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Boise State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. Boise State University awarded about 18 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $43,142 in their early career. Boise State University graduates carry a median of $21,032 in student loans.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from Boise State University
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 74 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $33,999 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,363.
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Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #14 for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State College Of Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn around $39,526 in the first couple years of their career. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates carry a median of $19,998 in student loans.
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University Of Utah placed #15 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $47,950. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
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Elmhurst College landed the #16 spot for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. About 15 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Elmhurst College earn around $33,556 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
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Old Dominion University placed #17 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 120 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Old Dominion University earn around $35,716 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Central Florida landed the #18 spot for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $26,282 early in their careers. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,676 in student loans.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for University Of Central Florida
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $38,632 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Northern Arizona University came in at #20 for rhetoric & composition this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $39,899. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #21 spot for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public university. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown graduates 56% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown awarded about 12 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $35,700. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Ferris State University earned the #22 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 12 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Ferris State University earn around $23,508 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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East Tennessee State University placed #23 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. East Tennessee State University awarded about 19 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $45,444 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete this degree.
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Youngstown State University came in at #24 for rhetoric & composition this year. This large public university is located in the city of Youngstown. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Youngstown State University awarded about 37 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $31,763 early in their careers. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans.
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Liberty University earned the #25 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 19 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $35,180. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for Liberty University
Rest of the Top 28 Rhetoric & Composition Schools
These schools also placed among the best for rhetoric & composition this year:
Rhetoric & Composition is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
