Linguistic & Comparative at Durham Technical Community College

Durham, NC · Public · Certificate · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

a compact campus enrolling 3,195 students in Durham, NC.

Program Analysis

Durham Technical Community College's Linguistic & Comparative graduates start at $26,246/yr, trailing the $35,231 national average by 26%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 147.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Linguistic & Comparative programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Linguistic & Comparative's career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 4 schools offering Linguistic & Comparative in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
56
Score
59
High End
Earnings $26,246/yr (-26% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (44% shielded)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$301K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
151.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$1,986
Out-of-state: $6,594

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Linguistic & Comparative graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340 -1.7% 48%
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270 0.0% 47%
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary $77,010 -0.2% 47%
Social scientists and related workers, all other
$100,340
-1.7% growth 48% AI-proof
English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
$78,270
0.0% growth 47% AI-proof
Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary
$77,010
-0.2% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

About Linguistic & Comparative Careers

Your expertise in language can lead you down two very different paths. You might find yourself in a high school classroom, guiding students through French literature or using interactive software to teach Spanish grammar. Your days will involve lesson planning, grading, and connecting with students. Alternatively, you could work as an interpreter, providing real-time translation during a doctor's appointment or a business negotiation via video call. Entry-level roles are often in schools or for translation agencies.

Read the full Linguistic & Comparative career guide →

Compare & Explore

Linguistic & Comparative Overview

Linguistic & Comparative at Other Schools

Other Majors at Durham Technical Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Linguistic & Comparative at Durham Technical Community College?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Linguistic & Comparative field.
Will AI affect Linguistic & Comparative careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $274,592 in decade earnings vs $300,880 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Durham Technical Community College's Linguistic & Comparative program stand out?
The #1 ranking out of 4 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can you still earn well with Linguistic & Comparative from Durham Technical Community College?
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 there demand for Linguistic & Comparative workers?
With approximately 83,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Linguistic & Comparative offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →