Median Earnings (1yr)
$31,218
62nd percentile
80th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$27,000
8% above national median

Analysis

Bowling Green's writing program graduates see their earnings jump 41% between year one and year four—a growth trajectory that transforms an initially modest $31,218 into $43,991. Among Ohio's 30 writing programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile for earnings, outperforming the state median by nearly $9,000. That gap matters for in-state students: you're paying roughly the same debt load ($27,000 versus the Ohio median of $26,500) but positioning yourself for significantly stronger outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.86 means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary—manageable by most standards and far better than many humanities programs. With a robust sample size backing these numbers, the pattern appears reliable rather than statistical noise. While this program won't match the $42,287 that Miami University's writing grads earn, Bowling Green delivers meaningfully better results than most Ohio alternatives at an accessible state school price point.

For families weighing writing degrees in Ohio, Bowling Green offers a clear advantage: proven earnings growth and above-average outcomes within the state. The year-one salary requires patience, but the trajectory suggests graduates find their footing relatively quickly in what's often a challenging field for early-career writers.

Where Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all rhetoric and composition/writing studies bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Bowling Green State University-Main Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus$31,218$43,991+41%
Arizona State University Campus Immersion$44,411$63,308+43%
Arizona State University Digital Immersion$44,411$63,308+43%
Miami University-Oxford$42,287$45,228+7%
Youngstown State University$31,763$38,515+21%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (30 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green$14,081$31,218$43,991$27,0000.86
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$42,287$45,228$23,7500.56
Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown$10,791$31,763$38,515$26,1690.82
Ohio University-Eastern CampusSaint Clairsville$6,178$23,399$26,5001.13
Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusChillicothe$6,178$23,399$26,5001.13
Ohio University-Southern CampusIronton$6,178$23,399$26,5001.13
National Median$28,418$25,0000.88

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with rhetoric and composition/writing studies graduates

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 170 graduates with reported earnings and 166 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.