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Romance Languages & Literatures at Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, 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 $54,327/yr (57% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #36 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 $650K $631K $559K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.3x 2.0x
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)
$276,180
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$80,592
71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,250
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,873
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Columbia University in the City of New York Romance Languages & Literatures graduates command $54,327/yr out of the gate, well above the $34,637 national median. That 57% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

At 2.3x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages & Literatures career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,250 in median debt clears quickly against $54,327 in annual earnings.

Columbia University in the City of New York ranks #36 among 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 45% earnings increase from $54,327 to $78,873 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Columbia University in the City of New York

Only 4% of applicants gain admission to Columbia University in the City of New York, reflecting elite selectivity, enrolling 8,899 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $80,592 over four years — 71% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia University in the City of New York →

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) Colgate University ($53,541) College of the Holy Cross ($52,210) Bucknell University ($51,120) Illinois State University ($49,448) Amherst College ($49,322)

Other Majors at Columbia University in the City of New York

Computer Science ($118,636) Operations Research ($110,457) Computer Engineering ($102,083) Applied Mathematics ($91,559) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,019) Economics ($83,135) Mechanical Engineering ($72,036) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($62,895)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Romance Languages & Literatures 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 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages & Literatures at Columbia University in the City of New York?
At 43/100, 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 Columbia University in the City of New York?
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 Columbia University in the City of New York one of the best schools for Romance Languages & Literatures?
Among 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, Columbia University in the City of New York's #36 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What do students actually pay for Romance Languages & Literatures at Columbia University in the City of New York?
The 71% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $276,180. At a net cost of $80,592, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →