Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public · Certificate

A 85% acceptance rate means University of Iowa is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 21,691 in Iowa City, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,647 track close to the $31,874 national median for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 42.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies carry above-average AI exposure (62% of tasks). The 39% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $23,750 against $29,647/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies is offered at just 6 schools in our analysis. University of Iowa's #4 ranking should be read in that context.

The $29,647-to-$46,070 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
43
Score
48
High End
Earnings $29,647/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Large (48,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$512K
11.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.7x
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)
$10,964
Out-of-state: $32,927
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,750
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,070
55% 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 University of Iowa

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Iowa?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
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 job openings. We model 62% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →