Rhetoric & Writing at Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,487/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market
Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI
1.6x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Rhetoric & Writing graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $416K | $427K | $416K |
| Earnings Multiple | 1.6x | 1.6x | 1.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 42% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 21 | 21 | 16 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,632
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
About Macalester College
Macalester College accepts 28% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a compact campus enrolling 2,131 students in Saint Paul, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $119,920 — 54% less than the list price.
See all programs and financial aid at Macalester College →Top Career Paths
Technical writers
$91,670/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490/yr
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
$78,270/yr
Compare & Explore
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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric & Writing at Macalester College?
A score of 21/100 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 $415,877 in decade earnings vs $416,356 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Macalester College a hidden gem for Rhetoric & Writing?
After financial aid, the average student pays $119,920 over four years — 54% below the $259,632 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →