Best Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California 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 California
10
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$123,933
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$52,965
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Southern California
Grad rate: 92.2% |
+$212,304 | $61,083 | $84,678 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
California State University-Fresno
Grad rate: 55.5% |
+$98,180 | $48,774 | $18,650 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Chapman University
Grad rate: 81.9% |
+$84,086 | $54,337 | $81,327 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
San Francisco State University
Grad rate: 52.2% |
-$118,216 | $38,615 | $25,258 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
California State University-San Bernardino
Grad rate: 54.5% |
-$120,520 | $37,665 | $16,910 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of California-Riverside
Grad rate: 76.3% |
-$123,130 | $39,341 | $34,975 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
National University
Grad rate: 44.0% |
-$131,752 | $39,124 | $37,116 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
California College of the Arts
Grad rate: 65.7% |
-$248,488 | $37,442 | $78,664 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
California Institute of the Arts
Grad rate: 64.0% |
-$416,250 | $29,030 | $78,425 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Saint Mary's College of California
Grad rate: 70.4% |
-$475,550 | $25,588 | $73,655 | N/A | 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.