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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,205/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)
ROI 16.5x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #46 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 $481K $483K $454K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.4x 16.5x 15.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.3x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 42% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,268
Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,888
-166% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,264
13.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,978
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $24,205/yr fall 18% below the $29,653 national median for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 16.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,264 debt load exceeds a year of the $24,205 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

Ranked #46 out of 121 programs, University of North Carolina Wilmington's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $24,205 to $40,978 over five years (69% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of North Carolina Wilmington

University of North Carolina Wilmington has a 74% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington →

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) University of California-Berkeley ($44,553) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($44,411) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($44,411) Johns Hopkins University ($43,524)

Other Majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($74,463) Computer Science ($66,977) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($54,105) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,369) Chemistry ($44,473) Special Education and Teaching ($42,584) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($40,777) Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions ($39,366)

Consider the Trade Route?

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

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

How does University of North Carolina Wilmington's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of North Carolina Wilmington Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earnings lower at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
Lower starting pay at University of North Carolina Wilmington may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →