Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME · Master's Degree · about 30 graduates a year
University of Southern Maine graduates in rhetoric and composition/writing studies earn 5% less than the national median for the same major four years after graduating. Their median federal debt equals about 78% of one year’s pay at that point.
How University of Southern Maine Compares for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
All 75 colleges reporting rhetoric and composition/writing studies earnings at this degree level, ranked by median pay four years after graduation. “Wage-adjusted” divides pay by the square root of the state’s wage index so colleges in low-wage states aren’t penalized for local pay.
| # | College | 4 yrs after | Wage-adjusted | Adj. rank | 1 yr after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, PA | $129,192 | $131,389 | #1 | — |
| 2 | University of North Texas Denton, TX | $80,536 | $81,881 | #2 | $52,948 |
| 3 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | $79,084 | $69,405 | #10 | $55,398 |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA | $78,716 | $80,055 | #3 | $53,254 |
| 5 | University at Albany Albany, NY | $76,461 | $72,775 | #6 | $50,934 |
| 6 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX | $75,064 | $76,318 | #5 | $47,951 |
| 7 | Boise State University Boise, ID | $73,481 | $78,137 | #4 | $55,136 |
| 8 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA | $73,113 | $66,528 | #13 | $41,328 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Boston, MA | $72,910 | $64,205 | #18 | $77,360 |
| 10 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA | $72,910 | $64,205 | #19 | $77,360 |
| … | |||||
| 49 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO | $53,095 | $56,929 | #36 | $48,018 |
| 50 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MN | $52,471 | $50,121 | #55 | $34,275 |
| 51 | Arcadia University Glenside, PA | $52,358 | $53,249 | #46 | — |
| 52 | University of Southern Maine Portland, ME | $52,322 | $55,605 | #42 | $43,673 |
| 53 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC | $52,194 | $56,012 | #40 | — |
| 54 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA | $51,558 | $45,402 | #66 | $52,025 |
| 55 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | $51,194 | $58,110 | #31 | — |
Other Majors at University of Southern Maine by Graduate Pay
| Major | 4 yrs after | 1 yr after | Rank in major |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $118,908 | $102,817 | #258 of 432 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $94,721 | $74,877 | #429 of 861 |
| Public Health | $88,404 | $62,476 | #60 of 201 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $67,576 | $48,966 | #146 of 211 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $66,469 | $51,576 | #50 of 50 |
| Social Work | $62,912 | $47,939 | #135 of 279 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $58,059 | $53,572 | #209 of 280 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | $56,490 | $53,891 | #197 of 302 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $53,547 | $47,549 | #300 of 380 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do University of Southern Maine rhetoric and composition/writing studies graduates make?
Graduates earn a median $43,673 one year after graduating and $52,322 four years after graduating. Figures are from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How does University of Southern Maine rank for rhetoric and composition/writing studies?
Among 75 colleges reporting earnings for rhetoric and composition/writing studies graduates, University of Southern Maine ranks #52 by median pay four years after graduation, and #42 after adjusting for state wage levels.
Is rhetoric and composition/writing studies at University of Southern Maine worth it?
Its graduates earn 5% less than the national median for rhetoric and composition/writing studies ($55,035), and the median federal debt at graduation is $41,000.
← All data for University of Southern Maine · Methodology
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled; programs with few graduates are not reported. Wage adjustment uses Census ACS state median household income.