Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Western Washington University

Western Washington's writing program leaves graduates earning about $27,000 in their first year—roughly $1,700 below the state median and $1,300 below the national average. Among Washington's nine programs, this places in the 40th percentile, notably trailing University of Washington ($29,758) and Seattle University ($32,663). The modest 11% earnings growth to $30,000 by year four suggests limited income trajectory in the field itself.

The silver lining is debt: at $18,000, graduates borrow about $7,000 less than the national median for this program and $2,600 below Washington's typical burden. This manageable debt load keeps the ratio at 0.67—meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of earnings—which is relatively sustainable even at these income levels. The 91% admission rate indicates accessibility, though the combination of below-average earnings and middling state ranking means this isn't compensated by selectivity's networking advantages.

For a student passionate about writing and comfortable with entry-level nonprofit or education sector salaries, the controlled debt makes this workable. But parents should know that other Washington public universities deliver better earnings outcomes in this same field—Central Washington matches Western's price point while generating slightly higher returns, and UW commands a $2,600 premium in first-year earnings that compounds over time.