Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Columbia University in the City of New York

Columbia's Romance Languages program graduates earn 58% more than the national median and 45% above the state average—impressive numbers that place this among the elite programs nationwide. In New York, only Colgate produces higher earners in this field. With debt under $21,000, the financial picture looks manageable at first glance.

But here's what complicates the picture: earnings actually decline by year four, dropping to $52,718. That's unusual for any bachelor's degree, though it could reflect graduates pursuing graduate school, taking positions abroad, or entering fields where early compensation doesn't follow traditional patterns. For a highly selective institution where most students could have studied anything, choosing Romance Languages means accepting that many peers in other majors will out-earn them significantly—Columbia engineering or economics graduates likely earn far more. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 is reasonable, though not exceptional.

The sample size caveat matters here. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of individuals pursuing PhDs or teaching English abroad could skew these numbers substantially. For families paying full freight at Columbia, this program represents a pure investment in intellectual development rather than financial returns. For those receiving aid or attending at lower cost, the modest debt load makes this a viable choice if your student is genuinely passionate about French, Spanish, or Italian literature.