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Foreign Languages · Linguistics Rank #68 of 79

Linguisticsat Georgia State University

Graduates earn $16,568/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Linguistics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $493K; scenarios range from $460K to $493K depending on AI disruption.

Atlanta, GA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
24 AT RISK
24
Optimistic
22
Pessimistic
Earnings
$16,568
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$493K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
60% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Georgia State University

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.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$460K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score22/100
Earnings Multiple13.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$493K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple14.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$493K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple14.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Georgia State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Linguistics graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
2
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
0.0% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$78,270/yr
High
3
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$77,010/yr
High
4
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
5
Interpreters and translators
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 6,900 openings/yr
$59,440/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Linguistics

How Georgia State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
James Madison University
VA · Public
51
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
10.6x
ROI
Virginia Military Institute
VA · Public
49
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
7.8x
ROI
George Mason University
VA · Public
42
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Stephen F Austin State University
TX · Public
39
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Northern Arizona University
AZ · Public
38
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Also at Georgia State University

Other top programs at Georgia State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Georgia State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Linguistics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Linguistics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Linguistics at Georgia State University

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.