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Romance Languages & Literatures at Willamette University

Salem, OR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
12
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,044/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (58% exposed)
Job Market Large (75,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #197 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 $479K $481K $451K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 43% 38% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 12

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$193,072
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,652
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,511
9.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,614
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,044 place Willamette University below the $34,637 national median for Romance Languages & Literatures — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Romance Languages & Literatures's typical career paths, with 58% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,511 represents roughly 10 months of the $27,044 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #197 of 198 Romance Languages & Literatures programs, Willamette University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,614 show a 54% jump from the $27,044 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Willamette University

Willamette University accepts 79% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,525 in Salem, OR. The average net cost of $94,652 over four years represents a 51% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Willamette University →

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 Willamette University

Computer Science ($80,077) Economics ($45,993) Political Science and Government ($35,162) English Language and Literature, General ($32,863) Communication and Media Studies ($31,472) Psychology, General ($29,678) Sociology ($29,312) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($28,697)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Romance Languages & Literatures trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Romance Languages & Literatures at Willamette University?
A score of 17/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Romance Languages & Literatures. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Romance Languages & Literatures careers?
With 58% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $451,213 in decade earnings vs $478,784 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Romance Languages & Literatures from Willamette University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Willamette University a hidden gem for Romance Languages & Literatures?
After financial aid, the average student pays $94,652 over four years — 51% below the $193,072 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →