Romance Languages & Literatures at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,845/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $599K $586K $527K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.8x 15.4x 13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.9x 7.8x 7.0x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,960
Out-of-state: $75,440 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,436
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,825
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,308
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,845 at Minnesota State University-Mankato come in 9% above the national median of $34,637 for Romance Languages & Literatures programs.

With a 15.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages & Literatures career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $37,845 far exceeding the $18,825 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Minnesota State University-Mankato ranks #4 among 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $37,845-to-$64,308 earnings arc over five years reflects a 70% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Minnesota State University-Mankato

Minnesota State University-Mankato accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,325 students in Mankato, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at Minnesota State University-Mankato →

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

Romance Languages & Literatures at Other Schools

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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

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages & Literatures at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
At 51/100, Minnesota State University-Mankato's Romance Languages & Literatures program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages & Literatures at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
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.
Is Minnesota State University-Mankato one of the best schools for Romance Languages & Literatures?
Among 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, Minnesota State University-Mankato's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →