Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Chapman University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Chapman University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Chapman University graduates earn $24k, placing them in the 25th percentile of all rhetoric and composition/writing studies bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (30 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | $23,939 | $53,340 | $26,000* | — |
| University of California-Berkeley | $44,553 | $51,969 | $14,037* | 0.32 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | $34,309 | $39,169 | $16,500* | 0.48 |
| Pepperdine University | $33,228 | — | $24,027* | 0.72 |
| San Francisco State University | $32,431 | $40,620 | $18,500* | 0.57 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | $28,725 | $43,871 | $13,500* | 0.47 |
| National Median | $28,418 | — | $25,000* | 0.88 |
Other Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $44,553 | $14,037 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata | $7,913 | $34,309 | $16,500 |
| Pepperdine University Malibu | $66,742 | $33,228 | $24,027 |
| San Francisco State University San Francisco | $7,424 | $32,431 | $18,500 |
| California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $6,813 | $28,725 | $13,500 |
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 Chapman University, approximately 20% 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 18 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.