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Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures — 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & 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 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures at California State University-San Marcos?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages & Literatures programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 →