Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Framingham State University

Massachusetts languages programs span a wide range, from $66,000+ at elite institutions to around $40,000 at state schools. Framingham State's program falls squarely in the middle of that pack—similar programs across the state suggest first-year earnings around $40,400, which actually matches the state median and edges above the $34,500 national figure for languages degrees. The estimated $21,500 in debt is notably lower than both state and national benchmarks, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53.

The practical reality: this is a humanities degree that translates to modest but livable starting pay, and the relatively contained borrowing makes it financially navigable. Language majors often need graduate school or professional credentials to increase earning potential, so keeping undergraduate debt below $22,000 matters more here than in fields with higher immediate returns. The program serves a third of students on Pell grants at a school with broad access—it's designed as an affordable pathway, not a premium credential.

For parents, the key question is whether your child has a clear plan for what comes after graduation. The estimated numbers suggest this degree won't burden them with unmanageable debt, but it also won't immediately pay dividends without strategic career planning. If teaching, translation, international business, or graduate school is part of the picture, this looks like a reasonable foundation. Without that direction, the modest starting salary becomes harder to justify.