Romance Languages at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,070/yr (-42% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 22.2x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #79 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 $638K $620K $552K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.9x 22.2x 19.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.2x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 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)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,241
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,219
180% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Fresno's Romance Languages graduates start at $20,070/yr, trailing the $34,637 national average by 42%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 22.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,241 in median debt clears quickly against $20,070 in annual earnings.

A #79 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places California State University-Fresno in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $20,070-to-$56,219 earnings arc over five years reflects a 180% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Fresno

A 96% acceptance rate means California State University-Fresno is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 21,070 students in Fresno, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fresno

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at California State University-Fresno?
At 37/100, 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 University-Fresno?
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 California State University-Fresno a good choice for Romance Languages despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Fresno'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 →