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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,999/yr (15% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 15.5x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #23 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	$505K	$504K	$468K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.6x	15.5x	14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.8x	4.8x	4.4x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	38	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,460

Out-of-state: $105,800 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$69,912

-115% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,984

4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,122

42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates start at $33,999/yr — above the $29,653 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.5x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,984 in median debt clears quickly against $33,999 in annual earnings.

At #23 of 121 nationally, this is a top-5% Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $33,999 to $48,122 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of New Mexico-Main Campus

A 95% acceptance rate means University of New Mexico-Main Campus is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 16,686 students in Albuquerque, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at University of New Mexico-Main Campus →

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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Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of New Mexico-Main Campus?

A score of 38/100 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 $468,248 in decade earnings vs $505,387 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program stand out?

Ranked #23 of 121 programs nationally, University of New Mexico-Main Campus 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 →