Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,405
Est. from MA median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$21,414
Est. from MA median (6 programs)

Analysis

Romance language majors across Massachusetts typically start near $40,400—a figure that puts Clark's estimated outcomes right at the state median but still trails the field's top performers by significant margins. Holy Cross and Tufts graduates in this major earn around $50,000, while Bentley reaches nearly $67,000, suggesting the variation has more to do with institutional networks and career services than the major itself.

The estimated debt load of $21,400 works in your favor here, coming in below both the state median ($25,358) and national benchmark ($22,722) for romance language programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, graduates would theoretically need about half their first year's salary to clear their loans—manageable compared to many humanities paths. Clark's 42% admission rate and strong SAT profile (1339) indicate you're paying for selectivity without reaching the elite tier where language majors command premium salaries.

The practical challenge: these estimates tell us where Clark likely falls within Massachusetts's range, but they can't reveal whether this specific program has cultivated the employer connections or graduate school placement rates that separate $40,000 outcomes from $50,000 ones. Before committing, ask Clark directly about career outcomes for recent romance language graduates—where they're working, what they're earning, and how many continue to graduate programs where humanities degrees gain more traction.

Where Clark University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (34 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Clark UniversityWorcester$55,160$40,405*—$21,414*—
Bentley UniversityWaltham$58,150$66,917*—$26,887*0.40
College of the Holy CrossWorcester$60,850$52,210*$64,858$26,975*0.52
Amherst CollegeAmherst$67,280$49,322*——*—
Tufts UniversityMedford$67,844$49,164*—$14,935*0.30
Westfield State UniversityWestfield$11,882$40,405*—$27,000*0.67
National Median—$34,497*—$22,722*0.66
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with romance languages, literatures, and linguistics graduates

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Clark University, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in MA. Actual outcomes may vary.