by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, rhetoric and composition was the 297th most popular major nationwide with 1,871 degrees awarded. This 611 less than the prior year, a decrease of 32.7%.
This year's Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools ranking compares 52 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of rhetoric and composition programs later in this article.
A major in rhetoric and composition prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Required skills include communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
rhetoric and composition degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific rhetoric and composition careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Rhetoric and Composition degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in rhetoric and composition to the highest rhetoric and composition degree, a . The type of rhetoric and composition degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to rhetoric and composition, with approximately 49.5% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for rhetoric and composition workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 45.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 14.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 7.7% |
| Some College Courses | 5.9% |
80.5% of rhetoric and composition workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in rhetoric and composition have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which rhetoric and composition career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your rhetoric and composition degree? Rhetoric & Composition careers are expected to grow 6.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to rhetoric and composition.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
| Writers and Authors | 141,200 | 7.6% |
| Editors | 125,600 | -1.4% |
| English Language and Literature Professors | 92,900 | 9.8% |
As you might expect, salaries for rhetoric and composition graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for rhetoric and composition graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers rhetoric and composition grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Professors | $78,150 |
| Professors | $76,990 |
| Writers and Authors | $73,090 |
| Editors | $69,480 |
With over 206 different rhetoric and composition degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased rhetoric and composition school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Writing Studies area of study, Rhetoric & Composition has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 6,817 |
| Professional, Technical, Business, & Scientific Writing | 2,441 |
| General Writing | 856 |
| Other Rhetoric & Composition/Writing Studies | 544 |
