Linguistic & Comparative at University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
22 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
22
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,793/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 8.5x earnings multiple (2.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #76 of 79 Linguistic & Comparative programs

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 $498K $497K $464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.6x 8.5x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.7x 2.7x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 22 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,240
Out-of-state: $181,348 (2.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,428
-14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,740
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,829
92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Santa Cruz's Linguistic & Comparative graduates start at $21,793/yr, trailing the $27,797 national average by 22%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 8.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,740 debt-to-$21,793 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #76 out of 79 programs, University of California-Santa Cruz's financial outcomes for Linguistic & Comparative trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,793 to $41,829 over five years (92% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 17,812 students in Santa Cruz, CA.

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

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 University of California-Santa Cruz

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

How does University of California-Santa Cruz's Linguistic & Comparative program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Linguistic & Comparative. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Linguistic & Comparative to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Linguistic & Comparative careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Linguistic & Comparative earnings lower at University of California-Santa Cruz?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Santa Cruz 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 →