Home Schools University of Vermont Linguistics
Foreign Languages · Linguistics Rank #79 of 79

Linguisticsat University of Vermont

Graduates earn $14,094/yr in their first year — about 49.0% below the national Linguistics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $367K; scenarios range from $369K to $350K depending on AI disruption.

Burlington, VT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
18 AT RISK
18
Optimistic
16
Pessimistic
Earnings
$14,094
1-year post-graduation
ROI
0.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$367K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
60% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Vermont

This UVM program presents a challenging career path, largely due to its academic focus in a regional economy not geared towards high-paying direct applications of these specialized language skills. Degrees in linguistic or comparative studies often lead to careers in academia or education, fields that typically require advanced degrees and may not offer substantial initial earning potential, especially in Vermont's public school systems or within UVM itself. While valuable for intellectual development, the program's structure doesn't inherently build strong pipelines to private sector roles. Local employers seeking these specific skills are scarce, making it difficult to leverage your expertise outside of K-12 or university settings without significant additional training or a very clear, complementary career strategy. If you pursue this, be sure to pair it with highly marketable skills or a concrete plan for advanced study from day one.

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
$369K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score16/100
Earnings Multiple4.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$367K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score18/100
Earnings Multiple4.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$350K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score18/100
Earnings Multiple4.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Linguistics 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
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
2
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
0.0% 10-yr growth · 5,100 openings/yr
$78,270/yr
High
3
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$77,010/yr
High
4
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
5
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 Linguistics

How University of Vermont stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
James Madison University
VA · Public
51
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
10.6x
ROI
Virginia Military Institute
VA · Public
49
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
7.8x
ROI
George Mason University
VA · Public
42
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Stephen F Austin State University
TX · Public
39
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
8.1x
ROI
Northern Arizona University
AZ · Public
38
DW Score
$38K
1-yr earn
6.5x
ROI
Also at University of Vermont

Other top programs at University of Vermont

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Vermont, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Linguistics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Linguistics at University of Vermont

How does University of Vermont's Linguistics program score?

This program scores 18/100 — on the lower end for Linguistics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do University of Vermont Linguistics graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.5x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

How vulnerable is Linguistics to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Linguistics 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 Linguistics earnings lower at University of Vermont?

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