Linguistics 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%

Program Analysis

Stony Brook's strong academic reputation is reflected in this program's national standing, highlighting a robust curriculum and dedicated faculty. However, the career paths in language studies, especially those leading to teaching or social science roles, often prioritize intellectual engagement and societal contribution over immediate high salaries. Many graduates pursue further education, leading to academic or research positions, or enter fields where foundational linguistic analysis is valued, but not always compensated at the highest levels early on. Your proximity to the diverse NYC metropolitan area offers unique opportunities for language-related work in translation, cultural services, or even computational linguistics roles if you build complementary technical skills. Given the very high AI risk in many language-centric tasks, focus on developing critical thinking, intercultural communication, and advanced analytical abilities that AI cannot easily replicate. Leverage the program's rigor to specialize in areas like psycholinguistics or sociolinguistics, which demand nuanced human insight.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Linguistics 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

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

Linguistics 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 Linguistics at Stony Brook University?
A score of 41/100 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 $592,347 in decade earnings vs $698,670 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Stony Brook University's Linguistics 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 →