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Romance Languages & Literatures at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,932/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 21.2x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #54 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 50%

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 $642K $624K $554K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.9x 21.2x 18.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.5x 10.2x 9.1x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,398
152% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,932 per year, Romance Languages & Literatures graduates from CUNY City College earn below the $34,637 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Romance Languages & Literatures programs nationally.

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.

At #54 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, CUNY City College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $60,398 show a 152% jump from the $23,932 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About CUNY City College

CUNY City College accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 11,934 students in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City 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 & 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) Colgate University ($53,541) College of the Holy Cross ($52,210) Bucknell University ($51,120) Illinois State University ($49,448)

Other Majors at CUNY City College

Computer Science ($83,258) Computer Engineering ($78,326) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,172) Chemical Engineering ($67,450) Civil Engineering ($67,194) Mechanical Engineering ($65,905) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($62,945) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($56,711)

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 CUNY City College?
A score of 41/100 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 $553,973 in decade earnings vs $642,204 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Romance Languages & Literatures from CUNY City College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is CUNY City College a hidden gem for Romance Languages & Literatures?
After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below the $29,360 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 →