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Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures'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 & Literatures 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

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) College of the Holy Cross ($52,210) Bucknell University ($51,120) Illinois State University ($49,448) Amherst College ($49,322)

Other Majors at Colgate University

Computer Science ($79,929) Economics ($77,274) Political Science and Government ($56,064) Sociology ($51,788) English Language and Literature, General ($48,008) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($44,089) Research and Experimental Psychology ($41,883) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($41,870)

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages & Literatures at Colgate University?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures?
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 →