Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Franklin and Marshall College
Bachelor's Degree
fandm.eduAnalysis
Franklin & Marshall's Romance Languages program punches well above its weight, with first-year earnings of $45,300 placing graduates in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Pennsylvania programs. That $11,000 premium over the national median is substantial for a humanities degree, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary significantly from these figures.
The debt picture looks reasonable at first glance—$19,250 is below both national and state medians for this major. However, that 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio still means graduates are carrying debt worth nearly half their first-year salary. For context, Pennsylvania's Romance Languages programs typically saddle students with $26,733 in debt while delivering lower earnings, making F&M's combination more attractive than most in-state alternatives.
What matters here is understanding what drives these outcomes. F&M's 32% admission rate and strong academic reputation likely mean graduates are leveraging the college's network and the school's broader liberal arts training rather than the major itself. If your student is passionate about French literature or Spanish linguistics, this program delivers better-than-typical financial results. Just recognize that outcomes rest heavily on a small cohort, and the real value may come more from F&M's overall institutional strength than from Romance Languages specifically.
Where Franklin and Marshall College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Franklin and Marshall College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (59 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster | $68,380 | $45,300 | — | $19,250 | 0.42 |
 Bucknell UniversityLewisburg | $64,772 | $51,120 | $69,653 | $24,625 | 0.48 |
 Villanova UniversityVillanova | $64,701 | $45,088 | $69,309 | $27,000 | 0.60 |
 Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg | $64,230 | $44,068 | — | $26,000 | 0.59 |
 Dickinson CollegeCarlisle | $63,475 | $39,694 | $52,987 | $19,000 | 0.48 |
 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusIndiana | $11,380 | $37,374 | — | $26,466 | 0.71 |
| 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 Franklin and Marshall College, approximately 17% 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 22 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.