Rhetoric and Composition

English Language And Literature/Letters

What is it about?

A program that focuses on the humanistic and scientific study of rhetoric, composition, literacy, and language/linguistic theories and their practical and pedagogical applications. Includes instruction in historical and contemporary rhetoric/composition theories; composition and criticism of written, visual, and mixed-media texts; analysis of literacy practices in cultural and cross-cultural contexts; and writing program administration.

Numbers at a glance

169th
Popular nationwide
345
Search Rank on O's List
61
Colleges offer it
2,302
Graduates (2018-19)
Men
843
Women
1,459

Trends

Graduates
Popularity Rank

Colleges

Number of Colleges by Type
Median Graduating Class by College Type
Number of Colleges by Size
Top 10 Public by Number of Graduates
George Mason University215
Old Dominion University197
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities192
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus183
West Chester University of Pennsylvania163
Texas Tech University131
University of New Mexico-Main Campus119
Texas State University119
University of North Texas108
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus107
Average public university graduating class: 49 students.
Top 10 Private by Number of Graduates
Wabash College20
Bates College16
University of Richmond13
Illinois College12
DePaul University8
East Texas Baptist University7
McKendree University6
Drake University5
Trinity University5
Bethel College-Indiana5
Average private university graduating class: 7 students.

O's Insights on Rhetoric and Composition

  • Major has been decreasing in popularity over the last 15 years.
  • 95% of graduates come from public universities.

Related Majors

Major Graduates Colleges
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 31,370 563
Creative Writing 2,869 215
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing 680 66
Writing, General 657 67
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