Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
22
Optimistic
22
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,292/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #79 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs

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 $463K $467K $443K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 11.0x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.6x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 22 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$42,400
Out-of-state: $82,720 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,608
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,429
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,004
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,292/yr, Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates from Stephen F Austin State University land near the $29,653 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 11.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,429 debt-to-$25,292 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #79 out of 121 programs, Stephen F Austin State University's financial outcomes for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,292 to $39,004 over five years (54% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Stephen F Austin State University

With 88% of applicants admitted, Stephen F Austin State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 8,746 students in Nacogdoches, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Stephen F Austin State 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

How does Stephen F Austin State University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →