Romance Languages & Literatures at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,487/yr (37% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #46 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs Top 25%

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 $515K $512K $474K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.7x 8.7x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.3x 5.3x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,064
Out-of-state: $96,504 (5.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,636
4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $47,487 per year, Romance Languages & Literatures graduates from Montclair State University significantly outpace the $34,637 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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.

The median debt load of $21,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #46 of 198 nationally, this is a top-5% Romance Languages & Literatures program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Montclair State University

With 87% of applicants admitted, Montclair State University prioritizes broad access, serving 17,677 students in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair State 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

Romance Languages & Literatures at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montclair State University

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 Montclair State University?
A score of 42/100 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 $474,046 in decade earnings vs $515,097 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Montclair State University's Romance Languages & Literatures program stand out?
Ranked #46 of 198 programs nationally, Montclair State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →