Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Master's degree · San Diego State University · San Diego, CA

CIP 23.13

$41,328Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$73,113Median earnings 4 years after
—Median earnings 5 years after
$47,128Median federal debt
30Graduates per year

How this program compares

Graduates of the master's degree program in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at San Diego State University earn a median of $41,328 one year after completing the program. Nationally, master's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $55,035 four years after graduating (middle half: $32,717–$77,712). Median debt is $47,128, about 114% of first-year earnings – more than a full year of pay.

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's degree) at other California schools

CollegeEarnings (1 yr)Median debt
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles
$70,010—
University of San Francisco
San Francisco
$51,069$51,250
National University
San Diego
$43,910$40,760
Chapman University
Orange
$40,950—
San Francisco State University
San Francisco
$33,293$29,503
University of California-Riverside
Riverside
$25,290$48,635
California State University-Fresno
Fresno
$23,133—
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia
$13,661$61,000

Highest-paying Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs nationwide →

Other programs at San Diego State University

Frequently asked questions

How much do Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates from San Diego State University make?

The median salary is $41,328 one year after graduation.

How much student debt do graduates have?

Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $47,128.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.