Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Carroll University

The estimated $25,490 debt load here sits above both the state and national medians for Romance Languages programs, while projected first-year earnings of $37,018 match the Wisconsin average but trail public university outcomes by several thousand dollars. With peer institutions like UW-Green Bay and UW-Whitewater reporting earnings above $42,000 for their language graduates, Carroll's premium tuition doesn't appear to translate into a corresponding earnings advantage—at least based on what similar Wisconsin programs typically produce.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 isn't alarming by humanities standards, but it reflects a tension many liberal arts students face: borrowing at private school rates while entering careers that start modestly. Language majors often pursue teaching, translation, or international business roles that may grow over time, yet that first year's salary still needs to cover loan payments. When comparable programs at public universities suggest better starting positions with less debt, the value calculation becomes harder to justify on purely financial terms.

For families considering Carroll specifically for language study, the lack of actual graduate outcomes makes this a particularly uncertain bet. If your student has specific reasons to choose Carroll—study abroad partnerships, smaller classes, particular faculty expertise—those might justify the investment. But if the decision is primarily about career preparation in languages, the data from peer programs suggests exploring Wisconsin's public options first, where the combination of lower debt and apparently stronger early earnings could provide more financial breathing room as your graduate builds their career.