Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Furman University

A $26,955 debt load for a Romance languages degree lands in the 7th percentile nationally—meaning 93% of similar programs leave graduates with more debt. That's striking, especially when paired with earnings that appear to jump substantially between years one and four. Based on comparable programs in South Carolina, first-year earnings around $35,856 suggest a 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is manageable territory for humanities degrees that often start slow.

The leap to $65,264 by year four tells a more interesting story than the modest starting point. While peer programs at Wofford and Clemson report initial earnings in the $39,000 range, Furman graduates appear to catch up significantly—possibly reflecting the strong liberal arts network and career development common at selective private colleges. The institution's 1364 average SAT and low Pell grant percentage suggest a student body with resources and connections that can translate into better medium-term outcomes.

Here's what matters: the low debt minimizes downside risk during those early career years when language majors are often building toward roles in education, international business, or graduate school. If the four-year earnings hold, you're looking at a program that protects your child from the debt trap that plagues many humanities graduates while keeping doors open for career pivots. The key uncertainty is whether those year-four earnings reflect typical progression or whether this cohort had unique advantages.