Rhetoric & Writing at University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$24,205/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market
Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI
16.5x earnings multiple (5.3x 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 | $481K | $483K | $454K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.4x | 16.5x | 15.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.2x | 5.3x | 4.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 42% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 27 | 27 | 24 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,268
Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,264
13.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,978
69% growth from Year 1
About University of North Carolina Wilmington
University of North Carolina Wilmington has a 74% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington →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
How does University of North Carolina Wilmington's Rhetoric & Writing program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric & Writing. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of North Carolina Wilmington Rhetoric & Writing graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Rhetoric & Writing to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Rhetoric & Writing 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.
Why are Rhetoric & Writing earnings lower at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Lower starting pay at University of North Carolina Wilmington may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →