Romance Languages & Literatures at University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
21
Optimistic
20
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,035/yr (-28% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #189 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 $670K $648K $572K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.7x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 21 20 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$239,600
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$155,680
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
12.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,370
157% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Puget Sound's Romance Languages & Literatures graduates start at $25,035/yr, trailing the $34,637 national average by 28%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 58% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $25,035 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #189 out of 198 programs, University of Puget Sound's financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,035 to $64,370 over five years (157% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Puget Sound

A 76% acceptance rate means University of Puget Sound is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 1,631 students in Tacoma, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $155,680 — 35% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Puget Sound →

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 University of Puget Sound

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

How does University of Puget Sound's Romance Languages & Literatures program score?
This program scores 20/100 — on the lower end for Romance Languages & Literatures. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do University of Puget Sound Romance Languages & Literatures graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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 are Romance Languages & Literatures earnings lower at University of Puget Sound?
Lower starting pay at University of Puget Sound may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →