Rhetoric & Writingat Augustana College
Graduates earn $19,775/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Rhetoric & Writing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $380K; scenarios range from $384K to $361K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Augustana College
Your data suggests that graduates from Augustana's Rhetoric and Composition program often see different financial outcomes than the national average for this field. This isn't necessarily a reflection of the program's quality, but rather the interplay of regional economics and evolving industry demands.
The Quad Cities area, while offering a strong community, isn't a major hub for the high-paying tech writing or publishing roles found in larger metropolitan areas. Graduates often find themselves in more general communications, marketing, or administrative roles within local businesses, non-profits, or educational institutions, where salaries may be set lower. Furthermore, the "Very High" AI risk for many writing-centric professions indicates that foundational writing skills, while crucial, increasingly need to be paired with advanced digital literacy, data analysis, or specialized industry knowledge to secure competitive compensation.
To maximize your potential, actively seek internships that integrate your writing with digital tools, project management, or a specific technical domain, even if it means looking beyond the immediate region. Supplementing your rhetoric studies with a minor in a more applied field could significantly broaden your career prospects.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Augustana College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Rhetoric & Writing
How Augustana College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Augustana College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Augustana College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Rhetoric & Writing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Rhetoric & Writing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Rhetoric & Writing at Augustana College
What does a 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Rhetoric & Writing at Augustana College?
At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Rhetoric & Writing programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Rhetoric & Writing at Augustana College?
The 62% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Augustana College a good choice for Rhetoric & Writing despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Augustana College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Rhetoric & Writing at Augustana College?
The 75% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $199,336. At a net cost of $49,748, the earnings multiple improves substantially.