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Romance Languages at Colby College

Waterville, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,326/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 1.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #127 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $489K $490K $458K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.8x 1.7x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$266,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,756
64% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $42,326 per year, Romance Languages graduates from Colby College earn slightly above the $34,637 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 1.8x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $17,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #127 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places Colby College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Colby College

With just 7% of applicants admitted, Colby College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a compact campus enrolling 2,282 students in Waterville, ME. The average net cost of $95,756 over four years represents a 64% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Colby 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

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 Colby College

Economics ($76,401) Political Science and Government ($54,353) Area Studies ($45,686) Biology, General ($43,597) International/Global Studies ($42,756) Psychology, General ($40,842) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($28,216)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Romance Languages 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

What does a 33/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at Colby College?
At 33/100, 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 Colby College?
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.
What do students actually pay for Romance Languages at Colby College?
The 64% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $266,400. At a net cost of $95,756, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →