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Foreign Languages · Romance Languages Rank #93 of 198

Romance Languagesat University of California-Los Angeles

Graduates earn $26,966/yr in their first year — about 22.0% below the national Romance Languages average. Base-case 10-year earnings $601K; scenarios range from $538K to $617K depending on AI disruption.

Los Angeles, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
36 AT RISK
36
Optimistic
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,966
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$601K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
61% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at UCLA

A UCLA degree in Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics offers a deeply enriching academic experience, drawing on the university's strong humanities tradition and excellent faculty. The salary data reflects the typical career paths for this field, which often lead to professions like teaching, interpreting, or roles in cultural institutions rather than direct corporate pipelines. These careers are intrinsically rewarding and crucial for global understanding, but often have different compensation structures compared to STEM or business fields, particularly in the initial years after graduation.

The "Very High" AI risk score highlights the evolving landscape for language-related professions, especially for entry-level translation or routine content creation, where AI tools are rapidly advancing. However, human nuance, cultural context, and the ability to teach complex literary concepts remain invaluable. To maximize your prospects, consider pairing your linguistic expertise with practical skills like digital humanities, data analysis, or a specific industry focus through internships. Leveraging UCLA's vast alumni network and career services for applied roles in international business, marketing, or non-profits could also open doors.

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
$538K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple9.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$601K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple10.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$617K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Romance Languages 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
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$77,010/yr
High
2
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
3
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 Romance Languages

How UCLA stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Bentley University
MA · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
Top score
University of Rhode Island
RI · Public
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
9.0x
ROI
Southern Methodist University
TX · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
Colgate University
NY · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Also at UCLA

Other top programs at UCLA

Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Romance Languages at UCLA

How does University of California-Los Angeles's Romance Languages program score?

This program scores 36/100 — 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-Los Angeles?

Lower starting pay at University of California-Los Angeles may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.