Rhetoric & Writing at Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,429
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,004
54% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Rhetoric & Writing at Other Schools
Other Majors at Stephen F Austin State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Stephen F Austin State University's Rhetoric & Writing program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric & Writing. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Rhetoric & Writing to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Rhetoric & Writing 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 →