Analysis
The numbers here tell a concerning story: Dominican's Romance Languages graduates earn $29,102 in their first year—about $7,300 below Illinois's median for this program and $5,400 below the national median. Among Illinois Romance Languages programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, placing it well behind state schools like Illinois State ($49,448) and even comparable private institutions. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing with just a few additional data points, but the gap is substantial enough to warrant serious consideration.
The debt load of $26,246 is roughly average, but paired with below-average earnings, the 0.90 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are carrying nearly a full year's salary in student loans. For context, Dominican serves a population where nearly half receive Pell grants, and an 80% admission rate suggests the school provides access to students who might face barriers elsewhere. However, financial accessibility at admission doesn't translate to financial outcomes after graduation if earnings fall short.
If your child is passionate about Romance Languages, look hard at the state schools on this list—Illinois State and Northern Illinois deliver significantly stronger earnings outcomes. If Dominican remains the choice for other reasons (location, community, fit), go in understanding that the financial payoff will likely be modest and may require graduate education or career pivoting to improve earning potential.
Where Dominican University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Dominican University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (38 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dominican UniversityRiver Forest | $37,844 | $29,102 | — | $26,246 | 0.90 |
 Illinois State UniversityNormal | $16,021 | $49,448 | $46,915 | $22,375 | 0.45 |
 Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb | $12,700 | $40,586 | $49,420 | $21,250 | 0.52 |
 DePaul UniversityChicago | $44,460 | $39,207 | $50,296 | $27,000 | 0.69 |
 University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign | $16,004 | $38,942 | $53,827 | $21,800 | 0.56 |
 Wheaton CollegeWheaton | $43,930 | $37,025 | $47,994 | $26,650 | 0.72 |
| National Median | — | $34,497 | — | $22,722 | 0.66 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with romance languages, literatures, and linguistics graduates
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 Dominican University, approximately 49% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.