Romance Languages at Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,541/yr (55% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #35 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 25%

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 $656K $636K $563K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$268,096
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,428
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,900
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,583
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Colgate University Romance Languages graduates command $53,541/yr out of the gate, well above the $34,637 national median. That 55% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Romance Languages's typical career paths, with 58% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,900 in median debt clears quickly against $53,541 in annual earnings.

At #35 of 198 nationally, this is a top-5% Romance Languages program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $53,541 to $79,583 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Colgate University

Only 12% of applicants gain admission to Colgate University, reflecting elite selectivity, with a smaller student body of 3,122 in Hamilton, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $116,428 over four years — 57% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Colgate University →

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 at Other Schools

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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages at Colgate University?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages careers?
With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $562,829 in decade earnings vs $656,287 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colgate University's Romance Languages program stand out?
Ranked #35 of 198 programs nationally, Colgate University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is Colgate University a hidden gem for Romance Languages?
After financial aid, the average student pays $116,428 over four years — 57% below the $268,096 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →