Linguistics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,389/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 9.4x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 79 Linguistic & Comparative programs Top 10%

Program Analysis

At Virginia Tech, your Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services degree benefits from the university's rigorous analytical environment and strong alumni network, opening doors beyond traditional humanities paths. The program cultivates critical thinking, complex communication, and cultural understanding—skills highly valued by employers in diverse sectors, from government agencies in nearby D.C. to tech companies needing UX researchers or natural language processing specialists. Many graduates leverage these abilities in consulting, data analysis, or international relations, which explains the robust career outcomes. While some aspects of language services are evolving with AI, focusing on computational linguistics, advanced analytical applications, or interdisciplinary minors in areas like data science or computer science will significantly enhance your marketability. Actively pursue internships that apply your linguistic skills in unexpected contexts.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Linguistics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $591K $579K $523K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.4x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,956
68% growth from Year 1

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

A 57% admission rate makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 30,435 in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →

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

Linguistics at Other Schools

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Linguistics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Linguistics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Linguistics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $523,025 in decade earnings vs $590,656 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →