Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures'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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures at Bentley University?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 →