Median Earnings (1yr)
$42,287
95th percentile
Median Debt
$23,750
5% below national median

Analysis

Miami University-Oxford turns what's typically a challenging major into a genuine success story. Graduates here earn $42,287 their first year—nearly 50% more than the typical writing studies graduate nationally and almost double what the average Ohio program delivers. Among the 30 Ohio schools offering this degree, Miami ranks at the very top alongside Youngstown State and Bowling Green, but with a slightly better debt profile.

The $23,750 in median debt sits just below national averages and translates to a manageable 0.56 ratio against first-year earnings—meaning graduates owe roughly half what they'll earn in year one. That's a workable position for a humanities degree, especially when paired with steady 7% earnings growth through year four. The combination suggests graduates are finding professional roles that value their writing and communication skills, not just entry-level positions.

For parents worried about the return on a writing degree, Miami's track record should ease concerns. The program's 95th percentile performance both nationally and statewide isn't accidental—it reflects the institution's strong reputation and the practical skills graduates gain. Your child would be entering a program with proven outcomes, not gambling on an uncertain liberal arts path.

Where Miami University-Oxford Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all rhetoric and composition/writing studies bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Miami University-Oxford graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Miami University-Oxford$42,287$45,228+7%
Arizona State University Campus Immersion$44,411$63,308+43%
Arizona State University Digital Immersion$44,411$63,308+43%
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus$31,218$43,991+41%
Youngstown State University$31,763$38,515+21%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (30 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$42,287$45,228$23,7500.56
Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown$10,791$31,763$38,515$26,1690.82
Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green$14,081$31,218$43,991$27,0000.86
Ohio University-Eastern CampusSaint Clairsville$6,178$23,399—$26,5001.13
Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusChillicothe$6,178$23,399—$26,5001.13
Ohio University-Southern CampusIronton$6,178$23,399—$26,5001.13
National Median—$28,418—$25,0000.88

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with rhetoric and composition/writing studies graduates

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

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 Miami University-Oxford, approximately 11% 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 93 graduates with reported earnings and 89 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.