Romance Languages at University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,746/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market
Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI
12.0x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
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 | $533K | $528K | $485K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.2x | 12.0x | 11.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.0x | 4.0x | 3.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 43% | 38% | 27% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 34 | 34 | 28 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,856
Out-of-state: $131,708 (4.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
9.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,428
75% growth from Year 1
About University of Iowa
University of Iowa has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 21,691 students enrolled in Iowa City, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →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
Compare & Explore
Romance Languages at Other Schools
Other Majors at University of Iowa
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does University of Iowa's Romance Languages program score?
This program scores 34/100 — 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 Iowa?
Lower starting pay at University of Iowa 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 →