Rhetoric & Writing at Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,896
51% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric & Writing at Old Dominion University?
A score of 38/100 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 $489,778 in decade earnings vs $541,989 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Old Dominion University's Rhetoric & Writing 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 →