Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Aurora University

Based on comparable Romance Languages programs in Illinois, Aurora graduates would face estimated debt of around $27,000 to earn roughly $36,400 in their first year—a 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio that sits just above typical financial thresholds. That debt load is actually higher than the state median for similar programs ($25,623), while earnings align exactly with what peer Illinois programs produce. For a field where graduates nationally earn a modest $34,497, Aurora appears positioned right at the middle of the pack.

The challenge becomes clearer when you look at Illinois State ($49,448) and Northern Illinois ($40,586)—both public universities where Romance Languages graduates in the same state earn substantially more in their first year. Even DePaul and U of I Urbana-Champaign show meaningfully higher starting salaries. These aren't just marginal differences; they represent thousands of dollars annually that compound over a career, and they come from institutions with comparable or better actual outcome data.

For an accessible private school serving a significant population of Pell-eligible students, Aurora's estimated profile suggests graduates enter a competitive job market without a clear earnings advantage. The debt-to-earnings picture isn't alarming, but parents should understand they're likely paying private school prices for outcomes that mirror the state average—and trail notably behind several Illinois public alternatives where actual data shows stronger returns.