Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,716/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #24 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs Top 25%

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 $542K $535K $490K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 10.9x 10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,048
Out-of-state: $130,648 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,680
-16% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,896
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,716 at Old Dominion University come in 20% above the national median of $29,653 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.9x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,716 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #24 of 121 nationally, this is a top-5% Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $53,896 show a 51% jump from the $35,716 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 17,521 in Norfolk, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Old Dominion 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 Old Dominion University?
A score of 38/100 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 $489,778 in decade earnings vs $541,989 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Old Dominion University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program stand out?
Ranked #24 of 121 programs nationally, Old Dominion University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →