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Rhetoric & Writing at Roanoke College

Salem, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
16 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
16
Optimistic
16
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,925/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #109 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 & Writing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $362K $381K $384K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.6x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 16 16 13

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$147,096
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$111,144
24% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Roanoke College's Rhetoric & Writing graduates start at $19,925/yr, trailing the $29,653 national average by 33%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — 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 & Writing's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -6% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #109 of 121 Rhetoric & Writing programs, Roanoke College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Roanoke College

A 80% acceptance rate means Roanoke College is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 1,801 students in Salem, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Roanoke 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 & Writing →

Rhetoric & Writing 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 Roanoke College

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($45,557) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($39,588) Sociology ($38,983) Biology, General ($37,458) Communication and Media Studies ($36,220) Psychology, General ($32,550) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($27,304) History ($25,940)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Rhetoric & Writing trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 & Writing at Roanoke College?
A score of 16/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric & Writing. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Rhetoric & Writing careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $384,043 in decade earnings vs $362,233 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Rhetoric & Writing from Roanoke College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →