Linguistics at Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,065/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
12.6x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)
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 | $533K | $528K | $486K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.7x | 12.6x | 11.6x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.8x | 4.8x | 4.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 43% | 38% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 32 | 31 | 27 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
11.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,394
93% growth from Year 1
About Iowa State University
With 89% of applicants admitted, Iowa State University prioritizes broad access, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at Iowa 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
Compare & Explore
Linguistics at Other Schools
Other Majors at Iowa 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 Iowa State University's Linguistics program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Linguistics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →