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Romance Languagesat Grinnell College

Graduates earn $28,691/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Romance Languages average. Base-case 10-year earnings $583K; scenarios range from $525K to $595K depending on AI disruption.

Grinnell, IA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
20 AT RISK
20
Optimistic
14
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,691
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$583K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Grinnell College

A Grinnell Romance Languages degree provides a deep dive into culture, critical thinking, and advanced linguistic skills, rather than direct vocational training for high-paying corporate roles. You'll find graduates often pursue careers in education, non-profits, cultural institutions, or translation, fields where initial earnings tend to be more modest but offer significant personal and intellectual rewards. The strong liberal arts foundation prepares you for diverse paths, but you may need to pursue graduate studies to reach higher earning potential, particularly in academic or specialized translation roles.

Be mindful that advancements in AI are rapidly changing the landscape for tasks like basic translation. To thrive, you'll want to combine your language expertise with other skills, like data analysis, digital media, or business, and seek out roles requiring nuanced cultural understanding and interpersonal communication that AI cannot replicate. Consider internships in international organizations or tech firms to leverage your unique skillset effectively.

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
$525K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score14/100
Earnings Multiple2.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$583K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$595K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score20/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Romance Languages 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
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$77,010/yr
High
2
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
3
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 Romance Languages

How Grinnell College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Bentley University
MA · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Rhode Island
RI · Public
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
9.0x
ROI
Southern Methodist University
TX · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
Colgate University
NY · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Also at Grinnell College

Other top programs at Grinnell College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Grinnell College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Romance Languages at Grinnell College

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages at Grinnell College?

A score of 20/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Romance Languages careers?

With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $524,511 in decade earnings vs $595,351 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Romance Languages from Grinnell 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 Grinnell College a hidden gem for Romance Languages?

After financial aid, the average student pays $62,432 over four years — 76% below the $259,448 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.