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Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,116/yr (-9% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)

Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #71 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	$453K	$459K	$437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.2x	12.3x	11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.1x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	49%	42%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	24	24	20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,144

Out-of-state: $111,412 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,720

-101% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,604

7.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$38,281

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $27,116/yr, roughly in line with the $29,653 national median for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 12.3x 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 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $17,604 debt-to-$27,116 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #71 out of 121 programs, Western Washington University's financial outcomes for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,116 to $38,281 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Western Washington University

Western Washington University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington 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

Other Majors at Western Washington University

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

How does Western Washington University's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program score?

This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →