Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Loyola University Chicago

In Illinois, Romance Languages programs show tremendous variation in early outcomes—from nearly $50,000 at Illinois State to the state median of $36,396 that forms the basis for Loyola's estimated first-year earnings. With debt at $22,698, this program sits right at the national median for debt but roughly at median for early earnings as well, creating a modest but manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio. The real story here is the four-year trajectory: reported earnings of $64,939 represent a 78% jump, suggesting graduates who initially take lower-paying positions in education or cultural organizations may transition into stronger career paths relatively quickly.

The estimation here matters because Loyola's actual outcomes could differ meaningfully from the state median—the school's selectivity and Chicago location might push results higher, or the small graduate cohort that triggered data suppression might indicate a less robust job pipeline. Comparable programs at DePaul and University of Illinois sit just above the state median, while Illinois State's Romance Languages graduates earn significantly more, pointing to how much institutional factors can matter in a field without a defined professional track.

For parents, the four-year earnings figure offers genuine reassurance that this isn't a dead-end credential, but the uncertainty around that first year is real. If your student has clear plans for graduate school or is willing to hustle through entry-level cultural sector work, the debt load won't be crushing. If they need immediate earnings to justify the investment, you're banking on Loyola outperforming that $36,396 estimate—possible, but unproven with this program's suppressed data.