Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's charges more debt than most Texas writing programs and delivers earnings that fall in the bottom quartile for the state. While a $31,518 starting salary exceeds the national median by about $3,000, it trails Texas State University by $6,000 and falls roughly $14,500 short of what University of North Texas graduates earn—all for comparable debt loads. Within Texas, this program ranks at just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state produce better initial outcomes.

The trajectory does improve: earnings climb 21% by year four, reaching $38,176, and the debt burden of $26,000 is at least manageable at 0.82 times first-year income. That debt level sits below the 40th percentile nationally, so it's not excessive by broader standards. However, Texas writing programs typically carry lower debt ($21,412 median), making the comparison less favorable when you consider what in-state alternatives offer.

For a family choosing Saint Edward's specifically for its Austin location or campus culture, the numbers work—but purely as a return on investment for a writing degree, stronger options exist within Texas. The gap between what this program delivers and what the state's top programs achieve is substantial enough to warrant comparing costs carefully, especially if other Texas public universities are geographically feasible.