Rhetoric & Writingat Knox College
Graduates earn $15,466/yr in their first year — about 48.0% below the national Rhetoric & Writing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $447K; scenarios range from $430K to $440K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Knox College
The financial outcomes for this Rhetoric and Composition program present a challenging landscape, largely influenced by its liberal arts focus and location. While the curriculum undoubtedly hones critical thinking and persuasive communication, the broader labor market in Galesburg, IL, offers limited direct, high-paying opportunities for general writing specialists. Many graduates often find themselves in roles where strong writing is an asset rather than the core, highly-compensated skill, or they pursue further education, which can delay earnings. The rise of AI also poses a significant competitive threat to foundational writing and editing tasks. To truly leverage these valuable communication skills into a robust career, you'll need to proactively build a specialized portfolio, pursue extensive internships in areas like technical writing or content strategy, or pair your studies with a complementary field like UX design or digital marketing to create a more direct value proposition for employers.
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 Knox 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 Knox College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Knox College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Knox 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 Knox College
What does a 10/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Rhetoric & Writing at Knox College?
At 10/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Rhetoric & Writing programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Rhetoric & Writing degree from Knox College?
At $26,394 in median debt, graduates carry 20 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Rhetoric & Writing at Knox 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 Knox College a good choice for Rhetoric & Writing despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Knox 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 Knox College?
The 55% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $222,348. At a net cost of $99,500, the earnings multiple improves substantially.