Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Central Oklahoma

The small sample size here demands caution, but the numbers tell an uncomfortable story: University of Central Oklahoma's Writing Studies graduates earn about $25,000 in their first year—roughly $3,000 below the national median for this major. While this places the program at the 60th percentile within Oklahoma, that's partly because the state has limited options for this degree. At 32nd percentile nationally, graduates are earning less than two-thirds of similar programs nationwide. The debt load of nearly $22,000 means graduates face almost a full year's salary in repayment obligations, and the 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio signals financial stress during those early career years.

The broader context matters too: writing and rhetoric degrees don't typically command high starting salaries anywhere, but $25,000 leaves little room for error. For a family weighing this investment, the question becomes whether the writing and communication skills justify both the four-year opportunity cost and the debt burden. If your student is passionate about writing but flexible about career paths, they might find better value either at a lower-cost state school or in a related major with stronger earning potential—perhaps communications, marketing, or English education—where writing skills still matter but the financial foundation is stronger. The small graduating class also raises questions about program resources and networking opportunities that larger programs naturally provide.