Linguistics at University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$19,809/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
9.7x earnings multiple (3.2x out-of-state)
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 | $606K | $592K | $533K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.9x | 9.7x | 8.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.3x | 3.2x | 2.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 43% | 38% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 27 | 27 | 24 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (3.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,497
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,751
166% growth from Year 1
About University of California-San Diego
University of California-San Diego admits 25% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 33,787 in La Jolla, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-San Diego →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
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Linguistics at University of California-San Diego?
A score of 27/100 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 $532,678 in decade earnings vs $605,693 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Linguistics from University of California-San Diego?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →