Rhetoric & Composition programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 139 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for rhetoric & composition students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Rhetoric & Composition School
Where you study rhetoric & composition matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Rhetoric & Composition School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Rhetoric & Composition in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the rhetoric & composition degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Carnegie Mellon University, our #1 school for rhetoric & composition. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $53,254 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Get the full rhetoric & composition details for Carnegie Mellon University
A rank of #2 makes Clemson University one of the top schools for rhetoric & composition. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $43,505. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from Clemson University
University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 38 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $44,553 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,037.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for rhetoric & composition. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 116 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $38,407 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,375.
Get the full rhetoric & composition details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
A rank of #5 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for rhetoric & composition. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 90 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
Get the full rhetoric & composition details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 123 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $39,798. Students borrow a median of $26,349 to complete this degree.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Richmond earned the #7 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 15 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $53,815 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from University Of Richmond
George Mason University landed the #8 spot for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from George Mason University earn around $37,716 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at George Mason University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 42 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Michigan State University earned the #10 position for rhetoric & composition this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 12 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $33,401 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from Michigan State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 20 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,225. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Depaul University earned the #12 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 13 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Depaul University earn around $49,334 in the first couple years of their career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for Depaul University
Texas State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 12 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $37,618 in their early career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $21,765 in student loans.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from Texas State University San Marcos
Boise State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Boise State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $43,142. Students borrow a median of $21,032 to complete this degree.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for Boise State University
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #15 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Denver. About 31% of students finish within six years. Metropolitan State College Of Denver awarded about 47 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $39,526 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,998.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Elmhurst College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 12 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $33,556 early in their careers. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at Elmhurst College
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 52 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $33,999. Students borrow a median of $14,363 to complete this degree.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Weber State University placed #18 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Weber State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $36,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,398 to complete this degree.
Get the full rhetoric & composition details for Weber State University
University Of Utah placed #19 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Utah awarded about 31 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $47,950 in their early career. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans.
Get the full rhetoric & composition details for University Of Utah
University Of Arizona came in at #20 for rhetoric & composition this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 12 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $34,240 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete this degree.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at University Of Arizona
University Of Central Florida ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 16 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $26,282 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,676 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in rhetoric & composition from University Of Central Florida
Old Dominion University earned the #22 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 117 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $35,716 early in their careers. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at Old Dominion University
Northern Arizona University earned the #23 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $39,899 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete this degree.
Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at Northern Arizona University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #24 for rhetoric & composition this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $38,632 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Minnesota Morris earned the #25 position for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 10 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Morris in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from University Of Minnesota Morris earn around $44,479 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Morris graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans.
See the full rhetoric & composition program report for University Of Minnesota Morris
Rest of the Top 36 Rhetoric & Composition Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong rhetoric & composition education:
Rhetoric & Composition is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
ADBLOCK #115
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 139 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).