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Romance Languages at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,444/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #63 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 $460K $464K $440K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.5x 14.7x 13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.9x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,652
Out-of-state: $79,172 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,668
-66% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,693
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$36,201
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

At $36,444 per year, Romance Languages graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt earn slightly above the $34,637 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 14.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $15,693 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #63 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

With 99% of applicants admitted, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 5,491 in Arcata, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →

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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($55,589) Forestry ($52,810) Plant Sciences ($44,038) Computer Science ($37,153) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($36,586) Political Science and Government ($36,079) Social Work ($35,693) Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($34,309)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
At 39/100, 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →