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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,758/yr (0% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #59 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	$475K	$478K	$451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.3x	9.3x	8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.8x	2.8x	2.7x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	25	20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,268

Out-of-state: $168,684 (2.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,068

22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,000

5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$42,372

42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,758/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.

At 9.3x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $29,758 far exceeding the $14,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #59 out of 121 programs, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $29,758 to $42,372 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 3,989 in Tacoma, WA. With 40% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Tacoma 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

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Other Schools

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Washington-Tacoma Campus's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program score?

This program scores 25/100 — 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 →