Romance Languages & Literatures at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,609/yr (-38% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #109 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 $556K $548K $500K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.8x 19.6x 17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.3x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 34 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,906
126% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Long Beach's Romance Languages & Literatures graduates start at $21,609/yr, trailing the $34,637 national average by 38%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 19.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages & Literatures career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears quickly against $21,609 in annual earnings.

A #109 ranking among 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs places California State University-Long Beach in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $21,609-to-$48,906 earnings arc over five years reflects a 126% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach's 47% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 34,131 students enrolled in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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 California State University-Long Beach

Consider the Trade Route?

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 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages & Literatures at California State University-Long Beach?
At 34/100, 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 University-Long Beach?
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-Long Beach a good choice for Romance Languages & Literatures despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Long Beach'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 →