Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Ithaca College

Ithaca College's writing program graduates start at $26,443—below the national average but solidly middle-of-the-pack within New York, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 38 programs. That state context matters: New York's median for writing graduates is actually lower than the national figure, and Ithaca manages to outperform most in-state peers despite coming in under the broader benchmark. The debt load of $25,000 translates to a near-1:1 ratio with first-year earnings, which is manageable but requires careful budgeting in those early career years.

The growth trajectory offers some optimism, with earnings jumping 22% to reach $32,250 by year four. However, keep in mind that this data comes from a very small sample—fewer than 30 graduates—so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians. What's notably absent here are the elite New York programs like Columbia (where writing grads earn $36,244), which suggests Ithaca occupies a mid-tier position in the state's writing education landscape.

For a family considering this program, the key question is whether Ithaca's broader educational experience justifies starting salaries that lag behind what writing graduates earn at comparable liberal arts colleges in New York. The debt is reasonable and the upward earnings trend is real, but this isn't a financial slam dunk—it's a program where the non-monetary returns need to weigh heavily in your decision.