Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,763/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #47 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 $450K $456K $436K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.4x 10.6x 10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.1x 10.2x 9.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,164
Out-of-state: $44,604 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,508
-10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,085
8.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,088
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Youngstown State University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates start at $31,763/yr — above the $29,653 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs nationally.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,085 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,763 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #47 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, Youngstown State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $31,763 to $39,088 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Youngstown State University

A 80% acceptance rate means Youngstown State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 7,340 students in Youngstown, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Youngstown State University →

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

Other Majors at Youngstown State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Youngstown State University?
A score of 27/100 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 $435,505 in decade earnings vs $449,723 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →