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English & Literature · Rhetoric & Writing Rank #13 of 121

Rhetoric & Writingat Texas Tech University

Graduates earn $39,943/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Rhetoric & Writing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $553K; scenarios range from $502K to $563K depending on AI disruption.

Lubbock, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
45 AVERAGE
46
Optimistic
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,943
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$553K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Texas Tech University

Your strong earnings potential from Texas Tech's Rhetoric and Composition program likely stems from a robust regional demand for skilled communicators, particularly in technical fields. While Lubbock isn't a tech hub, Texas boasts significant energy, defense, and manufacturing sectors that rely heavily on precise documentation and strategic communication. Your curriculum likely emphasizes practical applications like technical writing, editing, and content strategy, equipping you with highly sought-after skills that translate complex information into clear, actionable content for these industries. Graduates often find themselves in roles that bridge the gap between specialists and broader audiences, a critical need for many Texas-based companies. To maximize your future prospects, focus on developing advanced digital rhetoric skills and an understanding of user experience (UX) principles, which are harder for AI to replicate.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$502K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$553K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple11.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$563K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple11.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Texas Tech University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Rhetoric & Writing graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Technical writers
+0.9% 10-yr growth · 4,500 openings/yr
$91,670/yr
Very High
2
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
3
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
0.0% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$78,270/yr
High
4
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
5
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
6
Proofreaders and copy markers
-0.6% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$49,210/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Rhetoric & Writing

How Texas Tech University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Wabash College
IN · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
University of Utah
UT · Public
46
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Missouri State University-Springfield
MO · Public
47
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
12.9x
ROI
Same state (TX)
University of North Texas
TX · Public
47
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
11.6x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
50
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
Also at Texas Tech University

Other top programs at Texas Tech University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Texas Tech University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Rhetoric & Writing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Rhetoric & Writing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Rhetoric & Writing at Texas Tech University

What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Rhetoric & Writing at Texas Tech University?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Rhetoric & Writing programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Rhetoric & Writing at Texas Tech University?

The 62% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Texas Tech University one of the best schools for Rhetoric & Writing?

Among 121 Rhetoric & Writing programs, Texas Tech University's #13 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.