Romance Languages & Literatures at Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,622/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #173 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 $508K $506K $469K
Earnings Multiple 2.3x 2.3x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 25 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$216,808
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,996
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,254
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Lake Forest College's Romance Languages & Literatures program produces graduates earning $35,622/yr — within striking distance of the $34,637 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.3x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $35,622 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #173 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, Lake Forest College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $35,622 to $49,254 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Lake Forest College

Lake Forest College's 59% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,782 students in Lake Forest, IL. The average net cost of $109,996 over four years represents a 49% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Lake Forest 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

Romance Languages & Literatures at Other Schools

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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages & Literatures at Lake Forest College?
A score of 25/100 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 $469,286 in decade earnings vs $507,524 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →