Best Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Degrees in Illinois by ROI
Colleges in Illinois ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Illinois
5
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$365,221
Across Illinois programs
Average Annual Cost
$45,765
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Grad rate: 52.5% |
-$43,472 | $45,680 | $29,268 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Elmhurst University
Grad rate: 64.4% |
-$223,463 | $42,762 | $51,829 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Grad rate: 84.8% |
-$404,123 | $29,790 | $32,134 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Columbia College Chicago
Grad rate: 47.8% |
-$535,446 | $27,010 | $49,799 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Knox College
Grad rate: 71.0% |
-$619,601 | $26,000 | $65,796 | $26,976 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Degrees by State
Browse Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.