Romance Languages at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,182/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #126 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs

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 $491K $491K $459K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.8x 14.8x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.1x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 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)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,957
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,905
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,182 place San Diego State University below the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 14.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $14,957 debt-to-$28,182 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #126 out of 198 programs, San Diego State University's financial outcomes for Romance Languages trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,182 to $43,905 over five years (56% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University accepts 34% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, one of the larger campuses at 33,654 students in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego 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

Romance Languages at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Diego 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 San Diego State University's Romance Languages program score?
This program scores 33/100 — 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.
Why are Romance Languages earnings lower at San Diego State University?
Lower starting pay at San Diego State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →