Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
19
Optimistic
19
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,994/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #98 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs

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 $402K $415K $408K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.7x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 19 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$155,296
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$102,440
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,625
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $26,994/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.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,625 represents roughly 8 months of the $26,994 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #98 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, Lipscomb University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Lipscomb University

A 67% admission rate makes Lipscomb University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 3,021 students in Nashville, TN. The average net cost of $102,440 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lipscomb 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Lipscomb University?
A score of 19/100 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 $407,576 in decade earnings vs $402,245 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →