Home › University of Idaho › Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Idaho

Moscow, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,574/yr (-14% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #61 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs Top 50%

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	$394K	$408K	$403K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.2x	11.6x	11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.3x	3.4x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	24	24	21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,264

Out-of-state: $119,136 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,128

-56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,774

12.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (4 Year)

$20,730

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $25,574/yr, roughly in line with the $29,653 national median for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the -2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,774 debt load exceeds a year of the $25,574 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #61 out of 121 programs, University of Idaho's financial outcomes for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Idaho

University of Idaho accepts 79% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 7,363 students in Moscow, ID.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Idaho →

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

Other Majors at University of Idaho

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

How does University of Idaho's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program score?

This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do University of Idaho Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

How vulnerable is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →