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Linguistic & Comparative at Wichita State University

Wichita, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,284/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #49 of 79 Linguistic & Comparative programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Linguistic & Comparative graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$415K	$424K	$410K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.1x	11.4x	11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.4x	5.5x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	38%	28%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	29	24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,288

Out-of-state: $76,960 (5.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,104

-48% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,500

7.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $27,284/yr, Linguistic & Comparative graduates from Wichita State University land near the $27,797 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 11.4x 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 — 56% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $17,500 debt-to-$27,284 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #49 out of 79 programs, Wichita State University's financial outcomes for Linguistic & Comparative trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Wichita State University

With 95% of applicants admitted, Wichita State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 10,493 students in Wichita, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Wichita State University →

Top Career Paths

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Linguistic & Comparative at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wichita State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wichita State University's Linguistic & Comparative program score?

This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Linguistic & Comparative. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Linguistic & Comparative to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Linguistic & Comparative careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 56% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

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