Romance Languages at Bentley University

Waltham, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $66,917/yr (93% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #43 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $612K $597K $535K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.6x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$232,600
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$155,148
33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,887
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Bentley University Romance Languages graduates command $66,917/yr out of the gate, well above the $34,637 national median. That 93% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Romance Languages's typical career paths, with 58% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $26,887 in median debt clears quickly against $66,917 in annual earnings.

At #43 of 198 nationally, this is a top-5% Romance Languages program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Bentley University

Bentley University's 48% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with a smaller student body of 4,288 in Waltham, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $155,148 — 33% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Bentley University →

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

Romance Languages at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bentley 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages at Bentley University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages careers?
With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $534,682 in decade earnings vs $611,525 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Bentley University's Romance Languages program stand out?
Ranked #43 of 198 programs nationally, Bentley University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →