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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
45 Rhetoric & Composition Degrees Awarded
$35,705 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for rhetoric & composition students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Rhetoric & Composition in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall rhetoric & composition education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Rhetoric & Composition

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 school for rhetoric & composition. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,225. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes Depaul University one of the top schools for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Depaul University earn around $49,334 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree. Get the full rhetoric & composition details for Depaul University

3
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Elmhurst College awarded about 12 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Elmhurst College earn around $33,556 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full rhetoric & composition details for Elmhurst College

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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 · 6 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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