Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago's writing program outperforms most Illinois competitors—landing in the 60th percentile statewide—while keeping debt manageable at $27,000. That $30,733 four-year salary beats the state median by nearly $7,000, placing graduates ahead of writers from schools like Augustana and Knox. The program delivers better outcomes than Illinois' typical writing graduate, even if it trails the national median by a few thousand dollars.

The debt picture looks reasonable: at 1.08 times first-year earnings, graduates owe roughly what they'll make in year one. The 23% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates find their footing in Chicago's media and communications industries, though the absolute numbers remain modest. For a school serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (43%), these outcomes represent solid job market preparation without excessive borrowing.

This works for a family comfortable with their student entering a writing-focused career in Chicago, where the city's publishing, advertising, and content creation sectors provide opportunities for growth. The earnings won't wow anyone, but they're competitive for the field and region, and the debt load is one of the lowest nationally for this major. If your child is committed to a writing career and wants to stay in the Midwest, this represents a practical path forward.