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Romance Languages & Literatures at University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,934/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #101 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 & Literatures graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $529K $524K $483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.1x 9.0x 8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 27

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 (2.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,428
-14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,124
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,675
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,934 track close to the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages & Literatures programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

A 9.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages & Literatures career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $15,124 in median debt against $32,934 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #101 ranking among 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs places University of California-Santa Cruz in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $32,934-to-$51,675 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Santa Cruz

With a 63% acceptance rate, University of California-Santa Cruz is moderately selective, enrolling 17,812 students in Santa Cruz, CA.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 198 schools offering Romance Languages & Literatures →

Romance Languages & Literatures at Other Schools

Bentley University ($66,917) University of Rhode Island ($59,220) Southern Methodist University ($57,858) Columbia University in the City of New York ($54,327) Colgate University ($53,541) College of the Holy Cross ($52,210) Bucknell University ($51,120) Illinois State University ($49,448)

Other Majors at University of California-Santa Cruz

Computer Engineering ($79,969) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,842) Computer Science ($75,150) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($55,856) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($55,773) Business/Managerial Economics ($52,029) Economics ($50,518) Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences ($45,088)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Romance Languages & Literatures trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages & Literatures at University of California-Santa Cruz?
At 35/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages & Literatures programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages & Literatures at University of California-Santa Cruz?
The 58% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →