Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,700/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 6.2x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 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 $541K $534K $489K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.3x 6.2x 5.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.3x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$86,096
Out-of-state: $159,560 (3.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,296
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,046
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,776
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates start at $35,700/yr — above the $29,653 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.2x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,046 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,700 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #36 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,776 show a 51% jump from the $35,700 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus's 50% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 20,189 students enrolled in Pittsburgh, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus?
A score of 33/100 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 $489,294 in decade earnings vs $541,166 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →