Romance Languages & Literatures at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,478/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 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 $519K $515K $476K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.7x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.6x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,432
Out-of-state: $110,992 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,696
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,974
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,478 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln come in 11% above the national median of $34,637 for Romance Languages & Literatures programs.

The 12.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,000 debt-to-$38,478 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #26 out of 198 programs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Romance Languages & Literatures program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $38,478 to $51,974 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Nebraska-Lincoln accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 18,887 students in Lincoln, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska-Lincoln →

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

How does University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Romance Languages & Literatures program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Romance Languages & Literatures. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Romance Languages & Literatures to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Romance Languages & Literatures careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 58% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of Nebraska-Lincoln rank so high for Romance Languages & Literatures?
The #26 ranking out of 198 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →