Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Blackburn College

A Romance Languages bachelor's from a small Illinois college typically costs about $26,825 in student debt, according to estimates from similar programs in the state. With first-year earnings around $36,400—based on what graduates from comparable Illinois programs report—you're looking at a debt burden that's roughly three-quarters of that first paycheck year. That's manageable compared to many fields, though it means your graduate will likely be making loan payments for several years before clearing this debt.

The challenge here is the ceiling. Top Romance Languages programs in Illinois—Illinois State, Northern Illinois—produce graduates earning $40,000 to $49,000 in their first year. Blackburn serves a predominantly working-class student body (54% receive Pell grants), and smaller colleges in this field don't always deliver the same salary outcomes as larger universities with more extensive language department resources and alumni networks. The estimated earnings here track right at the state median, which suggests neither advantage nor disadvantage compared to peer programs.

The practical question: will your child use this degree for teaching, translation, or international business—careers where language skills have clear market value? If so, the debt-to-earnings ratio is workable. If the appeal is primarily cultural enrichment without a clear career application, that $26,825 becomes harder to justify when stronger programs in the state exist at similar or lower cost.