Romance Languages & Literatures at DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,207/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #141 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 & Literatures graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $536K $531K $487K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$177,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,564
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,163
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

DePaul University's Romance Languages & Literatures graduates start at $39,207/yr — above the $34,637 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 3.0x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$39,207 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #141 out of 198 programs, DePaul University's financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,207 to $55,163 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About DePaul University

A 74% acceptance rate means DePaul University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 14,283 in Chicago, IL. The average net cost of $116,564 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at DePaul 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 & Literatures at Other Schools

Other Majors at DePaul University

Consider the Trade Route?

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

How does DePaul University's Romance Languages & Literatures program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Romance Languages & Literatures. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Romance Languages & Literatures to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Romance Languages & Literatures careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 58% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →