Romance Languages at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,269/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 7.0x earnings multiple (2.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #51 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

Your degree from a top-tier institution like UVA in Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics provides a robust foundation, even in a field often perceived as less directly vocational. The strong academic rigor and UVA's reputation mean you're developing critical thinking, communication, and cultural fluency skills highly valued by employers across various sectors, not just those explicitly tied to language. While the career paths you see on this page are common, many graduates leverage these skills in international relations, non-profit work, publishing, or even government roles, particularly with D.C.'s proximity. The program's quality and the strong alumni network help open doors. Given the evolving landscape for language-specific roles, your real-world value will increasingly come from blending your linguistic and cultural expertise with other marketable skills, making you more adaptable. Consider a minor or certificate in a complementary field like business, public policy, or data science to maximize your career flexibility.

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 $600K $587K $528K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.1x 7.0x 6.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$83,944
Out-of-state: $232,056 (2.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$91,524
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,491
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,686
69% growth from Year 1

About University of Virginia-Main Campus

Admission to University of Virginia-Main Campus is competitive, with 17% of applicants accepted, enrolling 17,315 students in Charlottesville, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Virginia-Main Campus →

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

Romance Languages at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages at University of Virginia-Main Campus?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages careers?
With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $527,524 in decade earnings vs $600,140 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →