Best colleges for Romance Languages
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Romance Languages by graduate earnings are University of Rhode Island ($59,220), Southern Methodist University ($57,858) and Columbia University ($54,327), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI): $59,220, 40 graduates a year
- Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX): $57,858, 23 graduates a year
- Columbia University (New York, NY): $54,327, 33 graduates a year
- Illinois State University (Normal, IL): $49,448, 21 graduates a year
- Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ): $47,487, 32 graduates a year
Compare 820 U.S. colleges offering Romance Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Romance Languages programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,649 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 16.09 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Romance Languages programs
The Romance Languages program, formally known as Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, focuses on the study of languages, literatures, and cultures associated with Romance languages. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and other related languages, as well as their cultural and historical contexts. Students in this program will engage with a diverse range of topics, including literature, linguistics, and cultural studies, preparing them for a variety of careers in language and communication. This program is suitable for those passionate about foreign languages and looking to deepen their understanding of the Romance language family and its global significance.
In the Romance Languages program, students develop core skills in speaking, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework often includes language instruction, cultural studies, and literature analysis, equipping students with a solid foundation in both the practical and theoretical aspects of Romance languages.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,220 | 40 | 73% | — | $23,975 |
| 2 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,858 | 23 | 84% | $33,246 | $19,730 |
| 3 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,327 | 33 | 96% | $15,315 | $20,250 |
| 4 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,448 | 21 | 65% | — | $22,375 |
| 5 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,487 | 32 | 65% | — | $25,250 |
| 6 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,190 | 28 | 95% | $22,242 | $17,500 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,050 | 72 | 86% | — | $23,250 |
| 8 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,821 | 34 | 76% | — | $19,212 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,436 | 54 | 68% | — | $21,534 |
| 10 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,818 | 66 | 93% | — | $11,593 |
| 11 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,586 | 20 | 49% | — | $21,250 |
| 12 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,002 | 53 | 81% | $13,712 | $13,219 |
| 13 | Colgate University Hamilton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $53,541 | 8 | 91% | $22,903 | $16,900 |
| 14 | College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $52,210 | 14 | 87% | $24,533 | $26,975 |
| 15 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $51,120 | 2 | 86% | $30,675 | $24,625 |
| 16 | Amherst College Amherst, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,322 | 13 | 94% | $16,081 | — |
| 17 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,164 | 4 | 94% | $23,570 | $14,935 |
| 18 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $47,208 | 17 | 94% | $14,854 | $12,000 |
| 19 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,882 | 9 | 32% | — | — |
| 20 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,860 | 6 | 84% | — | $15,500 |
| 21 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,030 | 16 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,250 |
| 22 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,868 | 17 | 65% | — | — |
| 23 | Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,300 | 4 | 84% | $27,178 | $19,250 |
| 24 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,088 | 7 | 92% | $33,774 | $27,000 |
| 25 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,073 | 3 | 82% | $38,931 | $27,000 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $63,106 | 33 | 78% | $36,004 | $28,000 |
| 2 | Walla Walla University College Place, WA Private not-for-profit · Certificate Small program | $52,532 | 1 | 60% | $22,260 | $27,000 |
Specializations within Romance Languages
7 of the 9 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.09 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Spanish Language and LiteratureCIP 16.09056,320 graduates / yr761 institutions51 states
- French Language and LiteratureCIP 16.09011,322 graduates / yr324 institutions48 states
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0908625 graduates / yr31 institutions19 states
- Italian Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0902197 graduates / yr72 institutions25 states
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0900129 graduates / yr30 institutions17 states
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.099996 graduates / yr11 institutions9 states
- Portuguese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.090463 graduates / yr15 institutions10 states
Show all 9 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Romanian Language and Literature16.0906
- Catalan Language and Literature16.0907
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Career opportunities for graduates in Romance Languages are diverse, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions in the field. The median wage for roles related to this program is around $59,440. Most careers in this area typically require at least a Bachelor's degree, and the job outlook indicates little or no change in growth at 1.7%.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Romance Languages
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.09 (Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Romance Languages programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Common questions
What languages are covered in the Romance Languages program?+
The program typically includes Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Romanian, and Catalan.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will enhance skills in speaking, writing, active listening, and critical thinking.
What types of careers can I pursue with a degree in Romance Languages?+
Graduates can work in translation, education, cultural organizations, and more.
What is the job outlook for graduates in this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of about 6,900 positions.
How much do Romance Languages graduates earn?+
Romance Languages graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,649, College Scorecard (2019); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Romance Languages?+
Romance Languages maps to CIP 16.09 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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