Romance Languagesat Illinois State University
Graduates earn $49,448/yr in their first year — about 43.0% above the national Romance Languages average. Base-case 10-year earnings $521K; scenarios range from $480K to $525K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Illinois State University
You're seeing strong early career outcomes for Romance Languages at Illinois State, likely driven by the university's robust College of Education and its deep ties to K-12 school districts across Illinois. While Normal isn't a major international hub, the consistent demand for qualified foreign language teachers, particularly Spanish, in public schools provides a reliable career pipeline for graduates. Many programs here emphasize practical application, often integrating teaching certification or professional translation skills directly into the curriculum. This practical focus, coupled with ISU's regional reputation, helps graduates secure stable, well-compensated roles in education or public service across the state. To maximize your potential, actively pursue opportunities for dual certification or internships that align with specific career paths.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Illinois State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Romance Languages
How Illinois State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Illinois State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Illinois State University, 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 →Frequently asked about Romance Languages at Illinois State University
How does Illinois State University's Romance Languages program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Romance Languages. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Romance Languages to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Romance Languages 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.