Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Greenville University

Looking at similar Romance language programs across Illinois, this degree path suggests an estimated starting salary around $36,400—roughly on par with the state's typical outcome for these majors. That figure puts Greenville University in the middle of the pack for Illinois language programs, though it trails schools like Illinois State (where graduates earn closer to $49,000) by a significant margin.

The estimated debt of $26,825 creates a reasonably manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74, meaning graduates from comparable programs would owe about nine months' salary. That's better than many humanities degrees and aligns with what language majors typically face nationwide. However, Romance language degrees rarely lead to high-earning first jobs unless paired with specific career paths like translation, international business, or education. Many graduates pursue additional credentials or find that the real value emerges in how they combine language skills with other expertise.

For families at Greenville—where 38% of students receive Pell grants—the key question is whether your student has a clear plan for leveraging language skills professionally. The estimated numbers from peer programs suggest this won't be a financial disaster, but the relatively modest earnings potential means graduates need intentionality about their career direction. Without actual outcome data from Greenville itself, you're making this decision based on how similar programs typically perform rather than this school's specific track record.