Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Carthage College

Carthage's Romance Languages program comes with an estimated $25,490 in debt—slightly above the national median for language degrees—while similar programs in Wisconsin suggest first-year earnings around $37,018. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 falls into a manageable range, though it's worth noting that several Wisconsin schools with actual reported data show their language graduates earning $4,000-$6,000 more annually, including UW-Green Bay at $43,126 and UW-Whitewater at $42,722.

The challenge here isn't unusual for language degrees: they're often stepping stones to specific careers that require additional credentials (teaching, translation, international business) rather than direct pathways to high-paying entry-level positions. Based on comparable Wisconsin programs, you're looking at modest starting earnings that could limit early debt repayment momentum. The national picture confirms this pattern—Romance Languages typically produces earnings below many other bachelor's degrees.

If your child is committed to a language-focused career that requires this degree specifically, the debt load here isn't catastrophic. But given that higher-earning alternatives exist within Wisconsin's public university system at similar or lower costs, you should press Carthage on what makes their program worth the premium—study abroad opportunities, smaller class sizes, or career placement support that might justify choosing this path over a UW campus where graduates reportedly earn 15% more.