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Romance Languages at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,909/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #58 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $494K $494K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.8x 11.8x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.5x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 31

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 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,246
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,493
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,909 at Iowa State University come in 9% above the national median of $34,637 for Romance Languages programs.

With a 11.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,246 against $37,909/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #58 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places Iowa State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 25% earnings increase from $37,909 to $47,493 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

Top Career Paths

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
Interpreters and translators $59,440/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 198 schools offering Romance Languages →

Romance Languages at Other Schools

Bentley University ($66,917) University of Rhode Island ($59,220) Southern Methodist University ($57,858) Columbia University in the City of New York ($54,327) Colgate University ($53,541) College of the Holy Cross ($52,210) Bucknell University ($51,120) Illinois State University ($49,448)

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,913) Computer Engineering ($79,182) Computer Science ($78,517) Construction Engineering ($77,845) Chemical Engineering ($76,184) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($75,036) Industrial Engineering ($74,310) Mechanical Engineering ($72,900)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at Iowa State University?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages at Iowa State University?
The 58% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →