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Linguistic & Comparative at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,501/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 20.2x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #18 of 79 Linguistic & Comparative programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Linguistic & Comparative graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $584K $573K $518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.6x 20.2x 18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.5x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,950
142% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $21,501 per year, Linguistic & Comparative graduates from California State University-Northridge earn below the $27,797 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 20.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Ranked #18 out of 79 programs, California State University-Northridge's Linguistic & Comparative program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $21,501 to $51,950 over five years (142% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State University-Northridge

With 93% of applicants admitted, California State University-Northridge prioritizes broad access, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Northridge →

Top Career Paths

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 79 schools offering Linguistic & Comparative →

Linguistic & Comparative at Other Schools

James Madison University ($45,122) Virginia Military Institute ($43,923) George Mason University ($40,105) Stephen F Austin State University ($38,375) Northern Arizona University ($38,177) University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ($37,859) Ashford University ($37,853) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($37,389)

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($106,780) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($100,724) Construction Engineering Technologies ($79,352) Public Administration ($76,049) Computer Engineering ($75,692) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($75,207) Mechanical Engineering ($71,359) Accounting and Related Services ($68,904)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Linguistic & Comparative trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does California State University-Northridge's Linguistic & Comparative program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Linguistic & Comparative. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Linguistic & Comparative to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Linguistic & Comparative careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-Northridge rank so high for Linguistic & Comparative?
The #18 ranking out of 79 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Why are Linguistic & Comparative earnings lower at California State University-Northridge?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Northridge may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →