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Romance Languages & Literatures at Washington & Jefferson College

Washington, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
18 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
18
Base Case
15
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,700/yr (-43% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #194 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 $377K $391K $387K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.5x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 18 15

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$112,740
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$102,176
9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
16.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,700 place Washington & Jefferson College below the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages & Literatures — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 3.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The -3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages & Literatures career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.4x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #194 ranking among 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs places Washington & Jefferson College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Washington & Jefferson College

Washington & Jefferson College accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,154 in Washington, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington & Jefferson College →

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

Compare this program → View all 198 schools offering Romance Languages & Literatures →

Romance Languages & Literatures at Other Schools

Bentley University ($66,917) University of Rhode Island ($59,220) Southern Methodist University ($57,858) Columbia University in the City of New York ($54,327) Colgate University ($53,541) College of the Holy Cross ($52,210) Bucknell University ($51,120) Illinois State University ($49,448)

Other Majors at Washington & Jefferson College

Accounting and Related Services ($59,401) Economics ($50,402) Business/Commerce, General ($45,911) Communication and Media Studies ($39,584) Political Science and Government ($39,484) English Language and Literature, General ($37,046) Biology, General ($29,926) Psychology, General ($29,363)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Romance Languages & Literatures trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 18/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Romance Languages & Literatures at Washington & Jefferson College?
At 18/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Romance Languages & Literatures programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Romance Languages & Literatures degree from Washington & Jefferson College?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 16 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Romance Languages & Literatures at Washington & Jefferson College?
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 Washington & Jefferson College a good choice for Romance Languages & Literatures despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Washington & Jefferson College'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 →