Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates from School of the Art Institute of Chicago earn $42,100 median salary — below the national average for this program. Median debt: $62,718.
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois • Master's
What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
This page combines two federal data products: IPEDS institutional characteristics for School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the College Scorecard field-of-study (FOS) file for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at the master's credential level. The FOS file is keyed by CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code, which means earnings and debt figures here reflect only graduates of this specific program — not the school as a whole. IPEDS reports 20 completers in the most recent cohort for this program at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the denominator behind the median earnings figure.
Median graduate earnings of $42,100 represent Treasury-verified wages approximately one year after program completion, drawn from Social Security Administration records linked to federal financial aid applicants. Compared to the national mean of $50,154 across all institutions offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, graduates here earn below the national average for this program. Across all programs at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the mean median-earnings figure is $53,575, providing internal context for whether this specific field out-earns other options at the same institution.
Debt signals complete the ROI picture. The median cumulative federal loan debt for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates at School of the Art Institute of Chicago is $62,718, which translates to roughly $523 per month on a standard 10-year repayment plan. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.49 is above the 1.0 threshold, meaning cumulative debt exceeds first-year post-completion earnings. Program-level debt and earnings come from the Department of Education’s College Scorecard FOS release, updated annually.
Earnings Comparison
Program Details
Debt & ROI
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Other Schools
| School | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | $129,192 | — |
| University of North Texas | $80,536 | — |
| Johns Hopkins University | $79,084 | $33,763 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | $78,716 | $29,204 |
| University at Albany | $76,461 | — |
| Texas Tech University | $75,064 | — |
| Boise State University | $73,481 | — |
| San Diego State University | $73,113 | $47,128 |
| Northeastern University | $72,910 | — |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | $72,910 | — |
Other Programs at School of the Art Institute of Chicago
| Program | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | $74,629 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $58,809 | $69,198 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $52,952 | $50,834 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $47,355 | $69,783 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $45,602 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (current) | $42,100 | $62,718 |
Other Schools with Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
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About the Data
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Field of Study file. Earnings are median earnings for graduates after completion, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records linked to federal financial aid applicants. Institutional characteristics come from IPEDS. Debt figures represent the median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation.
Debt-to-earnings ratio compares cumulative debt to annual earnings. A ratio below 1.0 indicates that annual earnings exceed total debt, generally considered favorable. Estimated monthly payments assume a standard 10-year repayment plan.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.