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Romance Languages at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,557/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #61 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 50%

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 $614K $599K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.5x 16.1x 14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.4x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,144
Out-of-state: $111,412 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,720
-101% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,430
124% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,557/yr fall 23% below the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 16.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $17,500 against $26,557/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #61 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places Western Washington University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $26,557-to-$59,430 earnings arc over five years reflects a 124% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Western Washington University

Western Washington University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington University →

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 Western Washington University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($80,808) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,516) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($72,675) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($68,219) Manufacturing Engineering ($65,863) Management Information Systems and Services ($61,668) Polymer/Plastics Engineering ($60,375) Accounting and Related Services ($60,048)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at Western Washington University?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages at Western Washington University?
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 Western Washington University a good choice for Romance Languages despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Western Washington University'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 →