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Romance Languages at University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $32,934/yr (-5% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)

Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)

ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #101 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 graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$529K	$524K	$483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.1x	9.0x	8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.9x	2.9x	2.7x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	38%	27%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	35	27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$58,240

Out-of-state: $181,348 (2.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$66,428

-14% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,124

5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,675

57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,934 track close to the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

A 9.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $15,124 in median debt against $32,934 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #101 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places University of California-Santa Cruz in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $32,934-to-$51,675 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Santa Cruz

With a 63% acceptance rate, University of California-Santa Cruz is moderately selective, enrolling 17,812 students in Santa Cruz, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Cruz →

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 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 does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at University of California-Santa Cruz?

At 35/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages at University of California-Santa Cruz?

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →