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English & Literature · Rhetoric & Writing Rank #37 of 121

Rhetoric & Writingat Johns Hopkins University

Graduates earn $43,524/yr in their first year — about 47.0% above the national Rhetoric & Writing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $572K; scenarios range from $515K to $585K depending on AI disruption.

Baltimore, MD Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
31 AT RISK
32
Optimistic
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,524
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$572K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Johns Hopkins University

Your Johns Hopkins degree in Rhetoric and Composition provides a strong foundation in advanced critical thinking, persuasive communication, and complex argumentation. This rigorous training, coupled with the university's elite reputation, makes you a highly attractive candidate for roles far beyond traditional writing, particularly in the dynamic Baltimore-Washington corridor. You'll find opportunities in technical communication for tech and healthcare firms, policy analysis for government contractors, strategic communications for non-profits, or even UX writing, where your ability to craft clear, impactful messages is paramount.

While AI's influence on content creation is significant, your value lies in the strategic oversight and human-centered nuance it currently lacks. To thrive, focus on developing expertise in ethical communication, audience analysis, and leveraging rhetoric for complex problem-solving across disciplines. Your unique skill set allows you to lead, not just execute, in an AI-augmented world.

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
$515K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$572K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$585K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins University

Other top programs at Johns Hopkins University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins University

What does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Rhetoric & Writing at Johns Hopkins University?

At 31/100, 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 Johns Hopkins University?

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.

What do students actually pay for Rhetoric & Writing at Johns Hopkins University?

The 71% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $253,360. At a net cost of $72,644, the earnings multiple improves substantially.