Home › Bates College › Romance Languages & Literatures

Romance Languages & Literatures at Bates College

Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,395/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #134 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Romance Languages & Literatures graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $480K $481K $452K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.8x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,912
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$122,812
52% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

At $40,395 per year, Romance Languages & Literatures graduates from Bates College earn slightly above the $34,637 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 1.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #134 out of 198 programs, Bates College's financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Bates College

With just 13% of applicants admitted, Bates College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a smaller institution with 1,753 students in Lewiston, ME. The average net cost of $122,812 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bates College →

Top Career Paths

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
Interpreters and translators $59,440/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 198 schools offering Romance Languages & Literatures →

Romance Languages & Literatures at Other Schools

Bentley University ($66,917) University of Rhode Island ($59,220) Southern Methodist University ($57,858) Columbia University in the City of New York ($54,327) Colgate University ($53,541) College of the Holy Cross ($52,210) Bucknell University ($51,120) Illinois State University ($49,448)

Other Majors at Bates College

Economics ($71,187) Research and Experimental Psychology ($47,376) Sociology ($42,170) Political Science and Government ($41,055) English Language and Literature, General ($40,233) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($38,437) Biology, General ($30,613)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Romance Languages & Literatures trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bates College's Romance Languages & Literatures program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Romance Languages & Literatures. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Romance Languages & Literatures to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Romance Languages & Literatures careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 58% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Romance Languages & Literatures at Bates College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $253,912, but the average net cost is $122,812 — a 52% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →