Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Austin Community College District

Austin, TX · Public · Associate Degree

one of the larger campuses at 25,969 students in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

Austin Community College District's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates start at $33,514/yr — above the $31,874 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 82.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $10,105 in median debt clears fast against $33,514 in annual earnings.

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies is offered at just 6 schools in our analysis. Austin Community College District's #1 ranking should be read in that context.

A 26% earnings increase from $33,514 to $42,392 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
54
Score
58
High End
Earnings $33,514/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$443K
6.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
86.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,100
Out-of-state: $21,180
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,105
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,392
26% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Technical writers $91,670 +0.9% 30%
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270 0.0% 47%
Technical writers
$91,670
+0.9% growth 30% AI-proof
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
$78,270
0.0% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Careers

Your career could begin by interviewing engineers to document a new software feature, using specialized tools like MadCap Flare to build a user guide. Or you might find yourself as a staff writer, working in project management software like Asana, researching topics and drafting articles for a company’s website. These entry-level roles focus on execution under the guidance of an editor.

Read the full Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Overview

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Austin Community College District

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Austin Community College District?
At 54/100, Austin Community College District's Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $350,633 in decade earnings vs $442,798 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why does Austin Community College District rank so high for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies?
Ranked #1 of 6 programs nationally, Austin Community College District lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →