Romance Languages & Literatures at Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,767/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #102 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 $615K $600K $537K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.6x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$166,512
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$84,252
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,456
83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,767/yr, roughly in line with the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages & Literatures. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Romance Languages & Literatures's typical career paths, with 58% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $35,767 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #102 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, Elmhurst University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $65,456 show a 83% jump from the $35,767 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,954 in Elmhurst, IL. The average net cost of $84,252 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Elmhurst University →

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

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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 & Literatures at Elmhurst University?
A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages & Literatures careers?
With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $536,627 in decade earnings vs $614,617 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →