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Romance Languages & Literatures at Williams College

Williamstown, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,968/yr (10% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)

Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)

ROI 1.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #149 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 & Literatures graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$468K	$471K	$444K
Earnings Multiple	1.8x	1.8x	1.7x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	38%	27%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$259,440

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,408

77% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,968/yr, edging above the $34,637 national average for Romance Languages & Literatures — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 1.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Romance Languages & Literatures's typical career paths, with 58% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #149 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, Williams College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Williams College

Williams College admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a compact campus enrolling 2,060 students in Williamstown, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $59,408 — 77% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Williams 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

Romance Languages & Literatures at Other Schools

Other Majors at Williams College

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 Romance Languages & Literatures at Williams College?

A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Romance Languages & Literatures careers?

With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $444,342 in decade earnings vs $467,855 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Williams College a hidden gem for Romance Languages & Literatures?

After financial aid, the average student pays $59,408 over four years — 77% below the $259,440 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →