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
3
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$84,296
Across Illinois programs
Average Annual Cost
$46,178
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Grad rate: 52.5% |
-$51,956 | $42,329 | $29,268 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
DePaul University
Grad rate: 69.7% |
-$96,114 | $43,141 | $59,467 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Columbia College Chicago
Grad rate: 47.8% |
-$104,818 | $41,739 | $49,799 | 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.