Romance Languages at University of California-Davis

Davis, 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
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,330/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #124 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 $555K $547K $499K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.1x 9.0x 8.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,988
Out-of-state: $184,096 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,152
-0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,235
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,788
83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,330 per year, Romance Languages graduates from University of California-Davis earn below the $34,637 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 9.0x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $14,235 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #124 out of 198 programs, University of California-Davis's financial outcomes for Romance Languages trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,330 to $53,788 over five years (83% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

University of California-Davis accepts 42% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 31,777 in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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 University of California-Davis

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Davis'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 University of California-Davis?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Davis 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 →