Linguistic & Comparative at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,407/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 16.0x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 79 Linguistic & Comparative programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Linguistic & Comparative graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $699K $674K $592K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.5x 16.0x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.6x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$42,240
Out-of-state: $121,400 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,720
-75% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,938
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,762
174% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,407 track close to the $27,797 national median for Linguistic & Comparative programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Linguistic & Comparative programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Linguistic & Comparative's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,938 represents roughly 9 months of the $24,407 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #10 of 79 nationally, this is a top-5% Linguistic & Comparative program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $66,762 show a 174% jump from the $24,407 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Stony Brook University

With a 49% acceptance rate, Stony Brook University is moderately selective, enrolling 17,420 students in Stony Brook, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at Stony Brook 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
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Linguistic & Comparative at Other Schools

Other Majors at Stony Brook University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Linguistic & Comparative at Stony Brook University?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Linguistic & Comparative. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Linguistic & Comparative careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $592,347 in decade earnings vs $698,670 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Stony Brook University's Linguistic & Comparative program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 79 programs nationally, Stony Brook University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →