Rhetoric & Writingat CUNY Brooklyn College
Graduates earn $20,242/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Rhetoric & Writing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $480K; scenarios range from $452K to $477K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CUNY Brooklyn College
The earnings data for Rhetoric and Composition from Brooklyn College reflects the intensely competitive and diverse New York City job market. While the CUNY system provides an affordable pathway, many graduates initially enter roles in the non-profit, public education, or entry-level communications sectors, which often start lower than national averages, particularly in a high cost-of-living area. This program's strength lies in developing critical thinking and sophisticated communication skills, but these may not translate immediately into high salaries without targeted application.
The high AI risk indicates that basic content creation and editing tasks are increasingly automated. Your future success will hinge on demonstrating advanced rhetorical strategy, persuasive communication, and the ability to solve complex problems through writing. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue internships in technical writing, UX design, or strategic corporate communications, building a portfolio that showcases your unique ability to navigate complex information and influence audiences beyond what AI can achieve.
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 CUNY Brooklyn 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 CUNY Brooklyn College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CUNY Brooklyn College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY Brooklyn 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 CUNY Brooklyn College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric & Writing at CUNY Brooklyn College?
A score of 24/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric & Writing. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Rhetoric & Writing careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $451,772 in decade earnings vs $477,376 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Rhetoric & Writing from CUNY Brooklyn College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is CUNY Brooklyn College a hidden gem for Rhetoric & Writing?
After financial aid, the average student pays $11,772 over four years — 61% below the $29,808 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.