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English & Literature · Rhetoric & Writing Rank #118 of 121

Rhetoric & Writingat Hamline University

Graduates earn $20,059/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Rhetoric & Writing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $495K; scenarios range from $463K to $496K depending on AI disruption.

Saint Paul, MN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
11 AT RISK
12
Optimistic
9
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,059
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$495K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Hamline University

While a Rhetoric and Composition degree at Hamline cultivates invaluable critical thinking and communication skills, the outcomes suggest a disconnect between these academic strengths and direct entry into high-paying roles. As a smaller liberal arts institution, the program may emphasize theoretical foundations rather than intensive vocational training or specific industry pipelines. Many graduates find themselves in generalist roles in marketing, non-profit communications, or administration, where strong writing is an asset but not the primary, highly compensated skill. The Twin Cities job market for writers is competitive, and without specialized technical skills or a robust portfolio of applied work, roles like technical writing or editing can be challenging to secure and are increasingly impacted by AI automation. To maximize your prospects, actively seek out internships in specific industries and cultivate a portfolio demonstrating practical, industry-relevant writing applications throughout your studies.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$463K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score9/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$495K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score11/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$496K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score12/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Hamline University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Rhetoric & Writing graduates typically work

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.

1
Technical writers
+0.9% 10-yr growth · 4,500 openings/yr
$91,670/yr
Very High
2
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
3
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
0.0% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$78,270/yr
High
4
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
5
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
6
Proofreaders and copy markers
-0.6% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$49,210/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Rhetoric & Writing

How Hamline University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Wabash College
IN · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
University of Utah
UT · Public
46
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Missouri State University-Springfield
MO · Public
47
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
12.9x
ROI
University of North Texas
TX · Public
47
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
11.6x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
50
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
Also at Hamline University

Other top programs at Hamline University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Hamline University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Rhetoric & Writing at Hamline University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric & Writing at Hamline University?

A score of 11/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric & Writing. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Rhetoric & Writing at Hamline University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $25,000 against $20,059/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

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 $462,535 in decade earnings vs $495,679 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Rhetoric & Writing from Hamline University?

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 Hamline University a hidden gem for Rhetoric & Writing?

After financial aid, the average student pays $85,540 over four years — 56% below the $193,244 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.