Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at College of Saint Benedict

A Bachelor's in Romance Languages from College of Saint Benedict carries an estimated $25,490 in debt—slightly above the national median for this major but manageable given the first-year earnings picture. Similar programs across Minnesota suggest starting salaries around $35,000, which creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73. That's reasonable for a humanities degree, though it means graduates will likely need to prioritize loan payments early in their careers. By year four, earnings climb to $41,160, which puts this program on par with some of the stronger Romance Languages programs in the state.

The challenge is that language and literature degrees rarely command high starting salaries, regardless of where you earn them. Nationally, three-quarters of programs in this field produce first-year earnings below $40,000. College of Saint Benedict's accessible admissions (91% acceptance rate) and solid academic profile suggest students here are getting a quality liberal arts education, but the career trajectory will depend heavily on what graduates do with the degree—whether they pursue teaching credentials, translation work, international business roles, or graduate study.

For families comfortable with their child building toward mid-career opportunities rather than immediate high earnings, the estimated debt load here won't be crushing. But if loan payments feel daunting on a $35,000 salary, this program warrants a hard conversation about career plans and whether additional credentials might be necessary to reach financial goals.