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Romance Languages at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,329/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.4x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #88 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 50%

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 $508K $506K $470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.4x 16.4x 15.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.5x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,956
Out-of-state: $78,476 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,200
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,058
60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,329 place California State University-San Marcos below the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 16.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $29,329 far exceeding the $9,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #88 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places California State University-San Marcos in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $29,329-to-$47,058 earnings arc over five years reflects a 60% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-San Marcos

California State University-San Marcos accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 14,174 students in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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 →

Romance Languages 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 California State University-San Marcos

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,799) Accounting and Related Services ($63,366) Computer Systems Analysis ($61,054) Computer Science ($60,645) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($57,682) Physics ($56,018) International Business ($55,455) Management Information Systems and Services ($55,102)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at California State University-San Marcos?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages at California State University-San Marcos?
The 58% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-San Marcos a good choice for Romance Languages despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-San Marcos's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →