Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Brigham Young University

BYU's Romance Languages program is one of the smartest language degree investments you'll find, particularly for families concerned about humanities debt loads. With just $13,219 in typical debt—about half the national median for this major—graduates start at $40,002 and climb to nearly $62,000 by year four. That 55% earnings growth trajectory is exceptional for a language degree and suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into professional roles rather than stalling in entry-level positions.

The value proposition becomes even clearer in context: this program ranks in the 76th percentile nationally for earnings while sitting in the 95th percentile for low debt. Among Utah's seven Romance Languages programs, it trails only the University of Utah but costs dramatically less to complete. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means graduates typically owe about four months of their first year's salary—manageable by any standard.

For families worried that a language degree means financial struggle, BYU's track record should be reassuring. The combination of low borrowing (reflecting both BYU's subsidized tuition for LDS students and strong financial aid) and above-average career outcomes makes this one of the rare liberal arts programs where the math genuinely works. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these aren't fluky numbers.