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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,765/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (2.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #99 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	$467K	$471K	$446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.2x	8.3x	7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.6x	2.6x	2.5x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	19	18	16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,680

Out-of-state: $179,788 (2.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$54,828

3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,783

11.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$38,017

75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,765 place University of California-Riverside below the $29,653 national median for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,783 represents roughly 11 months of the $21,765 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #99 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, University of California-Riverside falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $38,017 show a 75% jump from the $21,765 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Riverside

A 63% admission rate makes University of California-Riverside accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 22,644 in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →

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 and Composition/Writing Studies at Other Schools

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Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of California-Riverside?

A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies careers?

With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $445,807 in decade earnings vs $467,240 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies from University of California-Riverside?

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 →