Best Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 16 colleges offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,484 recent graduates. Graduates earn $29,636 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $28,736.

School choice matters significantly: Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn $42,682 while Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduates earn $14,164 — a $28,518 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in PA

$29,636

PA Avg. Earnings

$28,736

National Avg.

179

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Pennsylvania

Public Schools (10)

$29,245

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (6)

$30,287

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,042 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Schools in Pennsylvania, Ranked by Earnings

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,593

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 11.4%

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

Bradford, PA · Public

$34,793

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,776

Graduates: 303

Acceptance: 90.8%

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg, PA · Public

$34,793

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,776

Graduates: 303

Acceptance: 97.9%

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

$34,793

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,776

Graduates: 303

Acceptance: 95.9%

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$34,793

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,776

Graduates: 303

Acceptance: 49.7%

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, PA · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,816

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 94.8%

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, PA · Public

$38,721

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,435

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 85.5%

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$41,565

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 32.0%

Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove, PA · Private

$23,538

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $18,654

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 78.7%

#10

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, PA · Public

$38,072

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,949

Graduates: 112

Acceptance: 79.2%

#11

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, PA · Private

York College of Pennsylvania

York, PA · Private

$24,267

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,299

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 94.2%

#14

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Erie, PA · Public

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Reading, PA · Public

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$14,164

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 54.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Pennsylvania?

Carnegie Mellon University ranks #1 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Pennsylvania with median graduate earnings of $42,682 within two years of graduation. There are 16 schools offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in the state.

How much do Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates earn in Pennsylvania?

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates in Pennsylvania earn an average of $29,636 within two years of graduation. This is 3% above the national average of $28,736 for this major.

What is the hardest Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies school to get into in Pennsylvania?

Carnegie Mellon University is the most selective Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program in Pennsylvania with an acceptance rate of 11.4%. The average acceptance rate across Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs in the state is 72.9%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, private Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs produce average earnings of $30,287 vs $29,245 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 6 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Pennsylvania

Computer Science $73,789 Chemical Engineering $71,780 Business/Managerial Economics $71,719 Computer Engineering $71,107 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management $67,419 Architectural Engineering $66,081 Computer and Information Sciences, General $64,679 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,105

All colleges in Pennsylvania →

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.