Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,114/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $614K $597K $532K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 10.8x 9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.8x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,410
63% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

George Mason University Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates command $40,114/yr out of the gate, well above the $29,653 national median. That 35% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,000 in median debt clears quickly against $40,114 in annual earnings.

Ranked #9 of 121 programs, George Mason University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $65,410 show a 63% jump from the $40,114 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About George Mason University

A 89% acceptance rate means George Mason University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 27,083 in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason University →

Top Career Paths

Technical writers $91,670/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at George Mason University?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $532,317 in decade earnings vs $614,310 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →