Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Goshen College

Drawing from other Romance language programs across Indiana, Goshen's estimated first-year earnings of $37,553 land right at the state median—a solid starting point that actually exceeds the national typical outcome by about $3,000. The estimated debt load of nearly $27,000, however, sits higher than both the state and national medians for this field. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it does mean your graduate would be starting with debt equivalent to roughly nine months of their first year's salary.

What complicates the picture here is the small graduate cohort—the data suppression suggests few students complete this program annually at Goshen, which could mean limited on-campus community and fewer established career pathways specific to this school. Looking at Indiana's landscape, Notre Dame and Butler graduates in these majors command significantly higher starting salaries ($46,000-$44,000 range), though those schools likely serve different student populations. The challenge with Romance languages has always been translating language skills into stable employment, and smaller programs sometimes struggle to build the employer relationships that make that transition smoother.

For a family considering this investment, the key question is whether Goshen provides the career support infrastructure and practical applications—study abroad, internships, dual majors with business or education—that help language majors find their footing after graduation. The modest earnings estimates based on peer programs suggest this path requires careful career planning rather than offering a clear financial runway.