Rhetoric & Writing at Texas State University
San Marcos, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,548/yr (27% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market
Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI
12.0x earnings multiple (5.9x 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 | $559K | $549K | $500K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.2x | 12.0x | 10.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.0x | 5.9x | 5.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 42% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 43 | 42 | 35 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,800
Out-of-state: $92,840 (5.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,045
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,889
52% growth from Year 1
About Texas State University
Texas State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 34,547 students enrolled in San Marcos, TX.
See all programs and financial aid at Texas 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
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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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric & Writing at Texas State University?
A score of 42/100 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 $499,579 in decade earnings vs $558,653 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Texas State University's Rhetoric & Writing program stand out?
Ranked #16 of 121 programs nationally, Texas State 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 →