Romance Languages at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,426/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 17.8x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #104 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 $525K $521K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.9x 17.8x 16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,268
Out-of-state: $91,940 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,888
-166% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
11.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,480
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,426 place University of North Carolina Wilmington below the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 17.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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 $23,250 against $25,426/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #104 ranking among 198 Romance Languages programs places University of North Carolina Wilmington in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $25,426-to-$47,480 earnings arc over five years reflects a 87% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of North Carolina Wilmington

University of North Carolina Wilmington accepts 74% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 14,176 students in Wilmington, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Wilmington →

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

Other Majors at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 35/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages at University of North Carolina Wilmington?
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 North Carolina Wilmington?
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.
Is University of North Carolina Wilmington a good choice for Romance Languages despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of North Carolina Wilmington's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →