Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,548/yr (27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 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 $559K $549K $500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.0x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 5.9x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,800
Out-of-state: $92,840 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,752
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,045
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,889
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Texas State University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program earn $37,548/yr in their first year — 27% above the $29,653 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,045 represents roughly 6 months of the $37,548 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #16 of 121 nationally, this is a top-5% Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $56,889 show a 52% jump from the $37,548 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Texas State University

Texas State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 34,547 students enrolled in San Marcos, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Texas State University?
A score of 42/100 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 $499,579 in decade earnings vs $558,653 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Texas State University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program stand out?
Ranked #16 of 121 programs nationally, Texas State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →