Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,431/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #33 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 $477K $479K $451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.0x 16.1x 15.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,689
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,400
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,431 at San Francisco State University come in 9% above the national median of $29,653 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.1x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $16,689 represents roughly 6 months of the $32,431 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #33 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, San Francisco State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $32,431 to $43,400 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 20,033 in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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

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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 San Francisco State University?
A score of 35/100 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 $451,301 in decade earnings vs $476,580 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →