Best Schools for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn a median of $57,499 within four years of graduating, ranking #190 out of 283 tracked majors — 8% below the median across all fields. There are 334 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 7,678 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Vanderbilt University graduates earn $114,368 while Texas A & M International University graduates earn $24,533 — a $89,835 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates see an average 8% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

334

Schools

$57,499

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#190

of 283 Majors

7,678

Graduates

Public vs Private: Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Public (201 schools)

$54,640

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (133 schools)

$63,232

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $8,592 more in early earnings on average for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics by State

Also by state: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin

Top Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Schools by Graduate Earnings

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN · Private

$114,368

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $41,565 (23)

1yr: $31,649 (30)

Acceptance: 6.3%

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$94,964

4yr Earnings

28 grads · small sample

2yr: $48,432 (19)

1yr: $34,179 (27)

Acceptance: 25.1%

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$93,769

4yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

2yr: $43,426 (33)

1yr: $43,384 (26)

Acceptance: 61.2%

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$89,275

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 8.2%

George Washington University

Washington, DC · Private

$88,114

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

1yr: $42,187 (21)

Acceptance: 43.5%

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private

$84,654

4yr Earnings

19 grads · small sample

2yr: $35,954 (13)

1yr: $28,242 (23)

Acceptance: 41.7%

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$83,961

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $36,141 (24)

1yr: $40,748 (27)

Acceptance: 56.3%

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private

$81,802

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, LA · Private

$79,925

4yr Earnings

30 grads · small sample

Providence College

Providence, RI · Private

$76,956

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$76,364

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, MA · Private

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

Marist University

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

$73,868

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Emory University

Atlanta, GA · Private

$72,399

4yr Earnings

26 grads · small sample

Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$71,779

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Elon University

Elon, NC · Private

$71,121

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $32,925 (12)

Acceptance: 67.3%

#19

Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private

$70,767

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public

$70,584

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 38.0%

#21

Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private

$70,025

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Rockhurst University

Kansas City, MO · Private

$69,747

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Loyola University Maryland

Baltimore, MD · Private

$69,353

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

2yr: $42,682 (14)

Acceptance: 76.3%

#24

Drew University

Madison, NJ · Private

$69,293

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

2yr: $35,416 (22)

Acceptance: 69.4%

#25

Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public

$68,939

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

2yr: $31,038 (18)

Acceptance: 50.5%

#26

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$68,077

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

$67,126

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $31,133 (15)

Acceptance: 80.9%

#31

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY · Public

Rutgers University-Camden

Camden, NJ · Public

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public

Rutgers University-Newark

Newark, NJ · Public

University at Albany

Albany, NY · Public

$66,414

4yr Earnings

28 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 69.9%

#36

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

Wellesley College

Wellesley, MA · Private

$65,036

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT · Public

$64,568

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

University of Delaware

Newark, DE · Public

CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public

$64,185

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

2yr: $29,685 (18)

Acceptance: 68.5%

#44

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

Showing top 50 of 334 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions $32,690 Natural Resources Conservation and Research $32,584 International/Global Studies $32,516 Journalism $32,301 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $32,292 Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences $32,190

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?

Vanderbilt University ranks #1 for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics with median graduate earnings of $114,368 within four years of graduating. There are 334 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn?

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn an average of $57,499 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $24,533 to $114,368 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics program?

The average acceptance rate across Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs is 66.9%. The most selective program is at Columbia University in the City of New York with a 4.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?

Private Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs average $63,232 in early earnings vs $54,640 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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