Romance Languages & Literatures at Central College

Pella, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,211/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 5.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #166 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs

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 $429K $437K $420K
Earnings Multiple 5.1x 5.2x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$83,952
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$89,412
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,211 track close to the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages & Literatures programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 5.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$30,211 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #166 out of 198 programs, Central College's financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Central College

Central College has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,062 students in Pella, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central College →

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 Central College

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

How does Central College's Romance Languages & Literatures program score?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Romance Languages & Literatures. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Romance Languages & Literatures to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Romance Languages & Literatures careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 58% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →