Rhetoric & Writing at Truman State University

Kirksville, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
20
Optimistic
19
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,569/yr (-44% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #94 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs

Program Analysis

The earnings data reflects the regional labor market dynamics for humanities graduates in Missouri, which often differ significantly from larger coastal or tech-centric hubs where many national averages are skewed. While Truman State is a strong public liberal arts institution, its graduates in Rhetoric and Composition might initially find opportunities in local or regional organizations, K-12 education, or smaller firms where starting salaries are generally lower. Furthermore, the "Very High" AI risk signals that roles like content creation, basic editing, and even some technical writing are increasingly augmented by AI tools. This doesn't eliminate the need for human writers, but it emphasizes the demand for advanced strategic communication, critical analysis, and deep understanding of audience and purpose—skills AI can't replicate. To thrive, you'll need to proactively develop specialized skills like UX writing, prompt engineering, or data-driven content strategy, making yourself indispensable alongside these technologies.

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 $343K $364K $373K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.1x 9.6x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.8x 5.1x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 19 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,880
Out-of-state: $71,480 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,120
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
18.8 months of Year 1 earnings

About Truman State University

Truman State University accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,666 students in Kirksville, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Truman 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

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 Truman State University?
A score of 19/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric & Writing. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Rhetoric & Writing at Truman State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,000 against $16,569/yr starting salary means roughly 1.6 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $372,869 in decade earnings vs $343,240 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Rhetoric & Writing from Truman State University?
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 →