Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at SUNY at Purchase College

Purchase, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
19
Optimistic
18
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,556/yr (-44% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #103 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 $449K $456K $435K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.7x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 19 18 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,812
Out-of-state: $75,452 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$76,268
-113% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,846
16.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,973
99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $16,556 per year, Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates from SUNY at Purchase College earn below the $29,653 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,846 against $16,556/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.4 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #103 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs, SUNY at Purchase College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $32,973 show a 99% jump from the $16,556 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About SUNY at Purchase College

With 73% of applicants admitted, SUNY at Purchase College prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 3,110 students in Purchase, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at SUNY at Purchase 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at SUNY at Purchase College?
A score of 18/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at SUNY at Purchase College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $22,846 against $16,556/yr starting salary means roughly 1.4 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $435,320 in decade earnings vs $449,409 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies from SUNY at Purchase 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 →