Rhetoric & Writing at University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
16
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)
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 | $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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,783
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,017
75% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Rhetoric & Writing 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 & Writing at University of California-Riverside?
A score of 18/100 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 $445,807 in decade earnings vs $467,240 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Rhetoric & Writing 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 →