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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
21
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,487/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 1.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #83 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 $416K $427K $416K
Earnings Multiple 1.6x 1.6x 1.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 21 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,632
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$119,920
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,487/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 1.6x — 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $29,487 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #83 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, Macalester College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Macalester College

Macalester College accepts 28% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, a compact campus enrolling 2,131 students in Saint Paul, MN. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $119,920 — 54% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Macalester College →

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

Compare this program → View all 121 schools offering Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies →

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Other Schools

Wabash College ($50,446) University of Utah ($47,950) Missouri State University-Springfield ($47,377) University of North Texas ($45,015) University of California-Berkeley ($44,553) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($44,411) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($44,411) Johns Hopkins University ($43,524)

Other Majors at Macalester College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($81,964) Economics ($59,752) Mathematics ($57,166) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($45,450) Political Science and Government ($39,439) Research and Experimental Psychology ($38,027) Biology, General ($35,616) Geography and Cartography ($30,053)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Macalester College?
A score of 21/100 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 $415,877 in decade earnings vs $416,356 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Macalester College a hidden gem for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $119,920 over four years — 54% below the $259,632 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →