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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,401/yr (13% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #27 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs Top 25%

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	$614K	$597K	$532K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.6x	9.3x	8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.5x	3.4x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$63,952

Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$83,004

-30% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,360

8.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,048

86% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,401 per year, Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates from Michigan State University earn slightly above the $29,653 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

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 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,360 debt-to-$33,401 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #27 out of 121 programs, Michigan State University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $33,401 to $62,048 over five years (86% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Michigan State University

With 84% of applicants admitted, Michigan State University prioritizes broad access, with 40,243 students enrolled in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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 Michigan State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Michigan State University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program score?

This program scores 37/100 — 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.

Why does Michigan State University rank so high for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies?

The #27 ranking out of 121 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →