Rhetoric & Writing at Purdue University-Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,084/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market
Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI
12.4x earnings multiple (4.3x 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 | $495K | $495K | $462K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.4x | 12.4x | 11.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.3x | 4.3x | 4.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 42% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 25 | 25 | 22 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,875
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,184
72% growth from Year 1
About Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue University-Main Campus's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 39,637 students in West Lafayette, IN.
See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →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 Purdue University-Main Campus?
A score of 25/100 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 $462,377 in decade earnings vs $495,407 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Rhetoric & Writing from Purdue University-Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →