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English & Literature · Rhetoric & Writing Rank #22 of 121

Rhetoric & Writingat University of Rhode Island

Graduates earn $43,267/yr in their first year — about 46.0% above the national Rhetoric & Writing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $511K; scenarios range from $473K to $514K depending on AI disruption.

Kingston, RI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
39 AT RISK
40
Optimistic
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,267
1-year post-graduation
ROI
6.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$511K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Rhode Island

The strong outcomes for URI Rhetoric and Composition graduates stem from a critical alignment between the program's practical focus and the robust New England labor market. This isn't just about writing essays; it’s about mastering the art of clear, persuasive, and strategic communication. Local industries, from biotech and finance to healthcare and defense contractors, consistently demand professionals who can translate complex information into accessible content – think technical manuals, grant proposals, marketing copy, or user experience writing.

Your education here equips you with highly transferable skills that directly feed into these high-demand roles, often through URI's established regional connections. While communication fields face high AI risk, focusing on critical thinking, strategic problem-solving, and human-centric content creation will make you invaluable. Actively pursue internships that challenge you to apply your skills in professional, real-world settings to build a portfolio demonstrating your practical impact.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$473K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple7.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$511K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple7.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$514K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple7.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Rhode Island's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Rhetoric & Writing graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Technical writers
+0.9% 10-yr growth · 4,500 openings/yr
$91,670/yr
Very High
2
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
3
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
0.0% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$78,270/yr
High
4
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
5
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
6
Proofreaders and copy markers
-0.6% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$49,210/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Rhetoric & Writing

How University of Rhode Island stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Wabash College
IN · Private nonprofit
36
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
University of Utah
UT · Public
46
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
11.9x
ROI
Missouri State University-Springfield
MO · Public
47
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
12.9x
ROI
University of North Texas
TX · Public
47
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
11.6x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
50
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
10.7x
ROI
Also at University of Rhode Island

Other top programs at University of Rhode Island

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Rhode Island, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Rhetoric & Writing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Rhetoric & Writing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Rhetoric & Writing at University of Rhode Island

What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Rhetoric & Writing at University of Rhode Island?

At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Rhetoric & Writing programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Rhetoric & Writing at University of Rhode Island?

The 62% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Rhode Island one of the best schools for Rhetoric & Writing?

Among 121 Rhetoric & Writing programs, University of Rhode Island's #22 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.