Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Oglethorpe University

Oglethorpe's writing program shows impressive earnings growth—graduates more than double their income between years one and four, reaching $52,488—but the journey starts slow. That first-year salary of $32,415 ranks in the 60th percentile among Georgia writing programs, meaning it beats most in-state alternatives but doesn't lead the pack. The $28,000 debt load sits slightly above both state and national medians, though it's manageable given where earnings eventually land.

The real question is whether families can weather that initial period. An 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one isn't dire, but it means graduates will feel the pressure of loan payments on an entry-level salary. By year four, the picture brightens considerably—that 62% earnings jump suggests graduates are finding their footing in fields like corporate communications, content strategy, or marketing where experience commands better pay. Still, the sample size here is small (under 30 graduates), which means a few outliers could be skewing these numbers upward.

For parents comfortable with their child working their way up from modest beginnings, this program delivers competitive Georgia outcomes with strong growth potential. But if you need immediate post-graduation earnings to service debt comfortably, programs with stronger year-one numbers might offer more peace of mind.