Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Siena College

Romance languages programs in New York show earnings spread from mid-$30s to over $50,000, and similar programs across the state suggest Siena's graduates likely land near the middle of that range. At an estimated $37,442 in first-year earnings—matching the state median—this puts graduates from comparable programs roughly on par with typical outcomes for this degree, though well below what elite private universities in New York produce.

The estimated $19,625 in debt is actually more favorable than both the state and national medians for this field, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of about 0.52. This means students from similar programs typically owe roughly half their first-year salary, which is manageable but still represents a meaningful financial burden when starting salaries barely exceed $3,100 per month before taxes. For context, peer programs nationally report median debt of $22,722, so the lower borrowing estimate here offers some advantage.

The challenge is that these figures come from peer institutions rather than Siena's actual graduates in this major, meaning your child's outcome could vary significantly. What the data does tell you: romance languages degrees typically don't command high starting salaries anywhere, even at top schools. If your child is passionate about this field, they should have a clear plan for how language skills will translate to employment—whether through international business, translation, education, or graduate study—rather than assuming the degree alone will open doors.