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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,239/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 7.6x earnings multiple (2.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #40 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	$531K	$525K	$483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.7x	7.6x	7.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.3x	2.3x	2.1x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	29	23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$68,912

Out-of-state: $232,288 (2.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,328

14% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,999

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,559

62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates start at $31,239/yr — above the $29,653 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 7.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,999 in median debt clears quickly against $31,239 in annual earnings.

Ranked #40 out of 121 programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $31,239 to $50,559 over five years (62% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Admission to University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is competitive, with 18% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 33,488 in Ann Arbor, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor →

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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Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program score?

This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 →