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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,553/yr (50% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 121 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs Top 5%

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 $633K $613K $543K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.7x 10.3x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.4x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,742
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of University of California-Berkeley's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program earn $44,553/yr in their first year — 50% above the $29,653 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,000 in median debt against $44,553 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #2 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 $69,742 show a 57% jump from the $44,553 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Berkeley

University of California-Berkeley admits 12% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, serving a student body of 33,073 in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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 and Composition/Writing Studies →

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Other Schools

Wabash College ($50,446) University of Utah ($47,950) Missouri State University-Springfield ($47,377) University of North Texas ($45,015) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($44,411) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($44,411) Johns Hopkins University ($43,524) Clemson University ($43,505)

Other Majors at University of California-Berkeley

Computer Science ($149,866) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($137,295) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($90,008) Operations Research ($88,685) Mechanical Engineering ($88,497) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($88,030) Statistics ($83,227) Chemical Engineering ($81,553)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 University of California-Berkeley?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies field.
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 $543,181 in decade earnings vs $632,780 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Berkeley's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 121 programs nationally, University of California-Berkeley lands in the top 5%. 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 →