Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Knox College

Knox College's writing program graduates face a difficult first year, with median earnings of just $15,466—landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally and 10th percentile within Illinois. While the 85% earnings jump to $28,561 by year four suggests graduates eventually find their footing, that initial period likely requires significant family support or multiple income sources. The $26,976 in debt matches the state median but represents 1.7 times that first-year income, creating immediate financial strain.

The small sample size here (fewer than 30 graduates tracked) means these figures could shift considerably with more data, but the pattern is worth noting: this program underperforms similar offerings at nearby schools like Elmhurst ($33,556) and Columbia College Chicago ($25,060), even after four years. For a selective liberal arts college with a 1250 average SAT, these outcomes seem disconnected from the academic profile of entering students.

If your child is genuinely committed to writing or publishing, recognize this path typically requires patience and potentially graduate credentials to reach stable earnings. The financial reality means either substantial family support during those early years or acceptance that loan payments will consume a large portion of early-career income. Consider whether your student has concrete career plans beyond "writer" or if they're pursuing this degree without a clear professional endpoint in mind.