Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Our Lady of the Lake University

Texas has 26 programs in this field, and Our Lady of the Lake's estimated outcomes land right at the state median—roughly $38,000 in first-year earnings with about $26,000 in debt. That 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable payments for graduates entering what's typically a lower-paying field. While rhetoric and composition programs nationally produce median earnings of just $28,000, similar Texas programs consistently outperform that baseline, suggesting regional market advantages worth noting.

The estimated $26,000 debt figure sits slightly above both the state median ($21,412) and national median ($25,000) for this degree, though it's hardly catastrophic for a bachelor's program. More concerning is the field itself: even Texas's top-performing programs—UT Austin, Texas Tech—see graduates earning between $38,000-$45,000, meaning there's limited upward mobility from the starting point. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, families here are likely depending on this degree translating directly into employment.

The practical reality: if your child is passionate about writing and rhetoric, this program appears comparable to peer options in Texas. But banking on earnings growth beyond the mid-$40,000s seems optimistic based on what top programs achieve. These estimates suggest typical outcomes for the field and state, not guaranteed results for Our Lady of the Lake specifically—making visits, alumni connections, and placement track records essential before committing.