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Romance Languages at Bates College

Lewiston, ME · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,395/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #134 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 $480K $481K $452K
Earnings Multiple 1.9x 1.9x 1.8x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 23

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,912
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$122,812
52% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

At $40,395 per year, Romance Languages graduates from Bates College earn slightly above the $34,637 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 1.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #134 out of 198 programs, Bates College's financial outcomes for Romance Languages trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Bates College

With just 13% of applicants admitted, Bates College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a smaller institution with 1,753 students in Lewiston, ME. The average net cost of $122,812 over four years represents a 52% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Bates 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 Bates College

Economics ($71,187) Research and Experimental Psychology ($47,376) Sociology ($42,170) Political Science and Government ($41,055) English Language and Literature, General ($40,233) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($38,437) Biology, General ($30,613)

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

How does Bates College's Romance Languages program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Romance Languages. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Romance Languages to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Romance Languages careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 58% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Romance Languages at Bates College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $253,912, but the average net cost is $122,812 — a 52% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →