Compare 8 Writing, General. programs in California. Average earnings: $40,854.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Writing, General. tells a different story. Across 8 programs, earnings range from $29,487 to $53,340—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Chapman University's Writing, General. program leads with graduates earning $53,340, well above the $40,854 average. UC Berkeley follows at $51,969, while USC rounds out the top three at $50,044. The data shows regional programs competing directly with prestigious privates on career outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 6.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Chapman leads in earnings but carries a 9.1% burden, still in the 'Good' tier where loan payments remain manageable.
Highest program earnings: $53,340
Strong outcomes ($53,340) with 56% acceptance
6.1% payment burden | Excellent
21.4% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $53,340 | 30 | $20,500 | Good | $44,954 | High |
| #2 | $51,969 | 59 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $50,044 | 34 | $18,000 | Good | $31,803 | High | |
| #4 | $40,620 | 9 | $15,371 | Good | $19,732 | High | |
| #5 | University Of RedlandsPrivate | $39,601 | 8 | $26,000 | Challenging | $28,208 | High |
| #6 | $32,082 | 71 | $17,500 | High | $18,275 | High | |
| #7 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $29,685 | 20 | $23,510 | High | $41,309 | High |
| #8 | Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | $29,487 | 14 | $18,000 | High | $0 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
