Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Syracuse University

Syracuse's Romance Languages program produces graduates earning nearly $40,000 in their first year—putting them in the 76th percentile nationally for this major and slightly above New York's state median. The $26,137 in median debt translates to a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates leave with just eight months' salary in loans. That's relatively light debt compared to most humanities programs, though it's worth noting New York's state median debt for this field is even lower at about $19,000.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably from year to year, but the pattern suggests solid outcomes for a liberal arts degree. While top programs like Columbia and Colgate show romance language graduates can earn $54,000+ in their first year, Syracuse sits comfortably in the middle of the New York pack—outperforming some SUNY options but trailing the elite privates by about $13,000.

For parents weighing a Syracuse education, this represents a reasonable investment if your student is genuinely passionate about language and culture. The debt load won't be crushing, and first-year earnings are respectable for the humanities. Just understand you're paying a premium over in-state public options that might deliver similar outcomes at lower cost.