Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Saint Xavier University

Similar Romance Languages programs in Illinois typically produce first-year earnings around $36,400, placing graduates right at the state median but trailing stronger performers like Illinois State ($49,448) and Northern Illinois ($40,586) by significant margins. That $13,000 gap between Saint Xavier's peer programs and the state's top earner matters when you're carrying $26,825 in estimated debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 sits in workable territory—comparable programs nationwide show median debt of $22,722 against lower national earnings of $34,497. But here's the practical reality: at $36,400, your graduate would take home roughly $2,700 monthly after taxes, with student loan payments likely consuming $300-350 of that. It's manageable, but leaves little cushion for Chicago's cost of living, especially in the early years when raises may be slow.

The real question is whether this degree opens doors your child can't access otherwise. With 56% of students receiving Pell grants, Saint Xavier serves students who may not have other options, and the humanities credential can lead to teaching, translation, or corporate roles that value language skills. But recognize that these estimated figures suggest a financial picture that's functional rather than comfortable—particularly if your child doesn't already have fluency that makes them immediately employable or plans for graduate school that could improve earnings.