Analysis
A Romance Languages degree from Niagara comes with an estimated $19,625 in debt—about $3,000 less than the typical New York student in this field borrows. That's a real advantage when first-year earnings hover around $37,400, a figure derived from the state median for similar programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means students would owe roughly half a year's salary, which is manageable but leaves little margin for error if post-graduation income falls short.
The challenge here is visibility. With earnings and debt both estimated from peer programs across New York, it's unclear whether Niagara's graduates match this pattern or diverge from it. The state's top performers—Columbia at $54,300 and Colgate at $53,500—show that institutional prestige and location dramatically affect outcomes in language fields. Even public options like Stony Brook ($43,800) outpace the state median by $6,000. Where Niagara fits in this range matters enormously, since language majors often depend on internships, study abroad networks, and alumni connections to convert their degrees into viable careers.
For parents, the math looks cautiously workable if the estimates hold and employment comes quickly. But given the field's competitive job market and the lack of program-specific data, you'll want to scrutinize Niagara's career services, alumni outcomes in translation, education, or international business, and whether the program offers practical pathways beyond the classroom.
Where Niagara University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (75 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,135 | $37,442* | — | $19,625* | — | |
| $69,045 | $54,327* | $52,718 | $20,250* | 0.37 | |
| $67,024 | $53,541* | $65,215 | $16,900* | 0.32 | |
| $7,358 | $46,882* | — | —* | — | |
| $61,992 | $44,073* | $52,464 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| $10,560 | $43,821* | $57,201 | $19,212* | 0.44 | |
| 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 Niagara University, approximately 26% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 19 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.