Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's writing program significantly outperforms both national and state expectations while keeping debt remarkably low. Graduates earn $39,526 in their first year—39% above the national median for writing programs and nearly $3,200 more than Colorado's median. More impressively, they achieve this with just $19,998 in debt (compared to $26,499 statewide), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 that rivals many STEM fields. This combination ranks the program in the 93rd percentile nationally for earnings.

The earnings trajectory looks solid too, with graduates seeing 25% income growth by year four, reaching $49,202. While this program sits at the 60th percentile among Colorado's five writing programs, that context is actually encouraging—it means MSU Denver delivers competitive results at a fraction of the cost of pricier alternatives. The program even outearns University of Colorado Denver's comparable offering while maintaining substantially lower debt loads.

For a parent evaluating writing programs, this represents genuine value: your child can pursue a humanities degree without shouldering crushing debt, and they'll likely earn more than most writing graduates nationwide. The 99% admission rate means accessibility, and the strong outcomes suggest the program delivers despite its open-door policy. If your child is passionate about writing and wants professional preparation without financial burden, this program deserves serious consideration.