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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Rhetoric & Composition Schools in the Southeast Region

8 Colleges in the United States
295 Rhetoric & Composition Degrees Awarded
$39,291 Avg Early-Career Salary

Rhetoric & Composition degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 25 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 the Southeast Region

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.

Top Schools in Rhetoric & Composition

1
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Leading the list is Clemson University, our #1 school for rhetoric & composition. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 77 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the rhetoric & composition program make about $43,505 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full rhetoric & composition details for Clemson University

2
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in rhetoric & composition, ranking #2. 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. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Read more about the rhetoric & composition program at University Of Richmond

3

Students looking for a strong rhetoric & composition program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #3. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 11 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full rhetoric & composition program report for George Mason University

4

University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best rhetoric & composition schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Florida awarded about 16 rhetoric & composition degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $26,282. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,676 in student loans. Get the full rhetoric & composition details for University Of Central Florida

5

Old Dominion University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #5 spot this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 117 rhetoric & composition students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $35,716 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full rhetoric & composition details for Old Dominion University

6
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #6 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 29 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their rhetoric & composition degree from Liberty University earn around $35,180 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete this degree. See the full rhetoric & composition program report for Liberty University

7

East Tennessee State University placed #7 among the best rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 17 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete this degree. Get the full rhetoric & composition details for East Tennessee State University

8

University Of Montevallo landed the #8 spot for rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public institution. University Of Montevallo graduates 54% of students within six years. About 13 rhetoric & composition degrees were awarded at University Of Montevallo in the most recent year. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $36,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,096. See the full rhetoric & composition program report for University Of Montevallo

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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