Linguistics at Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
24 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
24
Optimistic
24
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $16,568/yr (-40% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #68 of 79 Linguistic & Comparative programs

Program Analysis

The earning patterns for this program often reflect a common trajectory for humanities majors, especially in a field as specialized as linguistics. Many graduates find themselves in roles where their critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills are highly valued, but the specific linguistic expertise isn't directly tied to a high-paying industry job without further specialization. Atlanta's diverse job market offers opportunities in education, non-profits, or even entry-level roles in tech or marketing, but dedicated linguist positions are scarce at the bachelor's level. Success often hinges on pursuing graduate studies for roles like postsecondary teaching or specialized research, or proactively blending your linguistic background with complementary skills like data analysis or programming to pursue fields like computational linguistics, which typically require more advanced training. Your degree provides a robust foundation, but actively building a professional network and seeking internships in applied settings during your studies will be crucial to distinguish yourself in the job market.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Linguistics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $493K $493K $460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.5x 14.5x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 24 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,912
Out-of-state: $94,836 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,724
-88% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,588
15.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,613
127% growth from Year 1

About Georgia State University

A 62% admission rate makes Georgia State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 27,109 in Atlanta, GA. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Georgia State University →

Top Career Paths

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Linguistics at Other Schools

Other Majors at Georgia State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Georgia State University's Linguistics program score?
This program scores 24/100 — on the lower end for Linguistics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Georgia State University Linguistics graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Linguistics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Linguistics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Linguistics earnings lower at Georgia State University?
Lower starting pay at Georgia State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →