Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Idaho

The small sample size here demands caution, but the earnings trajectory is alarming: graduates see their income drop from $25,574 to $20,730 between years one and four—a 19% decline that runs counter to typical career progression. While University of Idaho's writing studies program ranks in the 60th percentile among Idaho's limited options for this major, that's a low bar when the state median matches this program's first-year earnings exactly. Nationally, graduates here earn less than two-thirds of peers at top-quartile programs.

The $26,650 in debt sits slightly above the state median and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio just over 1.0—manageable in year one, but increasingly burdensome as earnings fall. These numbers suggest graduates may be landing in entry-level positions without clear advancement paths, or that many are pursuing graduate degrees (which would temporarily suppress earnings). The relatively low debt compared to national averages offers some cushion, but it doesn't offset the income concerns.

For families considering this program, the key question is career trajectory. If your student plans to pursue graduate school or needs this degree as a stepping stone to teaching or publishing, these numbers make sense. But if they're expecting this bachelor's degree alone to launch a writing career with growing income, the data suggests that's not happening for most graduates. The declining earnings pattern is the red flag that needs explaining before committing.