Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at St Olaf College
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
St. Olaf's Romance Languages program underperforms both state and national benchmarks by a meaningful margin. While the private liberal arts college attracts strong students (1373 SAT average), graduates earn $32,094 their first year—about $2,900 less than the Minnesota median for this field and $2,400 below the national average. More concerning, multiple Minnesota public universities produce Romance Languages graduates who earn $5,000-$10,000 more annually, with Winona State graduates earning 30% more at $41,866.
The debt picture offers some relief: at $24,830, it's slightly higher than state and national medians but remains manageable given St. Olaf's private school status. The 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary. However, this "reasonable debt" doesn't offset the core issue—that students are paying private school tuition for below-average earning outcomes in a field where public alternatives show stronger results.
For families considering St. Olaf specifically for Romance Languages, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere in Minnesota. Unless the college offers a compelling financial aid package or your student has specific reasons to attend (study abroad programs, cultural fit), the in-state public options deliver better financial outcomes. If St. Olaf remains the top choice for other academic or cultural reasons, students should view Romance Languages as a passion pursuit rather than a financial investment and plan accordingly with double majors or career preparation beyond the major itself.
Where St Olaf College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How St Olaf College graduates compare to all programs nationally
St Olaf College graduates earn $32k, placing them in the 40th percentile of all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (23 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Olaf College | $32,094 | — | $24,830 | 0.77 |
| Winona State University | $41,866 | $45,770 | $20,017 | 0.48 |
| Concordia College at Moorhead | $40,212 | $46,718 | $27,000 | 0.67 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | $37,845 | $57,770 | $20,865 | 0.55 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $31,622 | $47,719 | $21,000 | 0.66 |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | $31,174 | — | $24,657 | 0.79 |
| National Median | $34,497 | — | $22,722 | 0.66 |
Other Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs in Minnesota
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Minnesota schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winona State University Winona | $10,498 | $41,866 | $20,017 |
| Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead | $30,020 | $40,212 | $27,000 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato | $9,490 | $37,845 | $20,865 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis | $16,488 | $31,622 | $21,000 |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth | $14,318 | $31,174 | $24,657 |
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 St Olaf College, approximately 20% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 35 graduates with reported earnings and 42 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.