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Romance Languages at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,932/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 21.2x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #54 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 $642K $624K $554K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.9x 21.2x 18.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.5x 10.2x 9.1x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,398
152% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,932 per year, Romance Languages graduates from CUNY City College earn below the $34,637 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Romance Languages programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Romance Languages's typical career paths, with 58% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

At #54 of 198 Romance Languages programs, CUNY City College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $60,398 show a 152% jump from the $23,932 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About CUNY City College

CUNY City College accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 11,934 students in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City 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 CUNY City College

Computer Science ($83,258) Computer Engineering ($78,326) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,172) Chemical Engineering ($67,450) Civil Engineering ($67,194) Mechanical Engineering ($65,905) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($62,945) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($56,711)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Romance Languages trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages at CUNY City College?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages careers?
With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $553,973 in decade earnings vs $642,204 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Romance Languages from CUNY City College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is CUNY City College a hidden gem for Romance Languages?
After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below the $29,360 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →