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Romance Languages at Washington & Jefferson College

Washington, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
18
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,700/yr (-43% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #194 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $377K $391K $387K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.5x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 18 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$112,740
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$102,176
9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
16.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,700 place Washington & Jefferson College below the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 3.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The -3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.4x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #194 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places Washington & Jefferson College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Washington & Jefferson College

Washington & Jefferson College accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,154 in Washington, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington & Jefferson College →

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 →

Romance Languages 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 Washington & Jefferson College

Accounting and Related Services ($59,401) Economics ($50,402) Business/Commerce, General ($45,911) Communication and Media Studies ($39,584) Political Science and Government ($39,484) English Language and Literature, General ($37,046) Biology, General ($29,926) Psychology, General ($29,363)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 18/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at Washington & Jefferson College?
At 18/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Romance Languages degree from Washington & Jefferson College?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 16 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages at Washington & Jefferson College?
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.
Is Washington & Jefferson College a good choice for Romance Languages despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Washington & Jefferson College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →