Linguistics at Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
23
Optimistic
23
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,939/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
9.0x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
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 | $518K | $515K | $476K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.1x | 9.0x | 8.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.3x | 4.2x | 3.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 43% | 38% | 28% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 23 | 23 | 20 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,188
Out-of-state: $121,676 (4.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,195
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,788
109% growth from Year 1
About Wayne State University
With 82% of applicants admitted, Wayne State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 15,676 in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at Wayne 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
Compare & Explore
Linguistics at Other Schools
Other Majors at Wayne State University
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
How does Wayne State University's Linguistics program score?
This program scores 23/100 — on the lower end for Linguistics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 Wayne State University?
Lower starting pay at Wayne State University 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 →