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Foreign Languages · Linguistics Rank #15 of 79

Linguisticsat Stephen F Austin State University

Graduates earn $38,375/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Linguistics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $473K; scenarios range from $446K to $470K depending on AI disruption.

Nacogdoches, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
39 AT RISK
39
Optimistic
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,375
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$473K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
60% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Stephen F Austin State University

The strong earnings performance of this program isn't about traditional language roles, but rather how graduates apply sophisticated analytical, critical thinking, and cross-cultural communication skills in unexpected, high-demand fields. While located in East Texas, SFA graduates often leverage their expertise in larger markets, potentially in Houston's international business sector, or within government agencies that require nuanced understanding of language and culture for intelligence or policy analysis.

You'll find these graduates excel in roles demanding complex problem-solving, market research, or UX design, where understanding human language and behavior is paramount. The "related services" component likely emphasizes practical applications, preparing you for roles beyond academia, such as technical communication, localization project management, or even data analysis for companies dealing with diverse datasets. Given the very high AI risk for this field generally, your success hinges on actively seeking internships and developing complementary technical skills that allow you to translate your unique linguistic insights into tangible value for employers.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$446K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple10.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$473K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple11.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$470K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple11.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Stephen F Austin State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Linguistics graduates typically work

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.

1
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
2
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
0.0% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$78,270/yr
High
3
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$77,010/yr
High
4
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
5
Interpreters and translators
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 6,900 openings/yr
$59,440/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Linguistics

How Stephen F Austin State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
James Madison University
VA · Public
51
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
10.6x
ROI
Virginia Military Institute
VA · Public
49
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
7.8x
ROI
George Mason University
VA · Public
42
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Northern Arizona University
AZ · Public
38
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
PA · Public
35
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
4.7x
ROI
Also at Stephen F Austin State University

Other top programs at Stephen F Austin State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Stephen F Austin State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Linguistics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Linguistics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Linguistics at Stephen F Austin State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Linguistics at Stephen F Austin State University?

A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Linguistics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Linguistics careers?

With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $445,575 in decade earnings vs $469,978 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Stephen F Austin State University's Linguistics program stand out?

Ranked #15 of 79 programs nationally, Stephen F Austin State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.