Home › California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt › Romance Languages & Literatures

Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures →

Romance Languages & Literatures 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 & Literatures 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 & Literatures at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages & Literatures programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages & Literatures 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 →