Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Taylor University

Taylor University's Romance Languages program carries an estimated debt load of $26,885—noticeably higher than both the state median of $21,702 and the national median of $22,722 for this major. When compared against first-year earnings of roughly $37,553 (based on the seven Indiana programs reporting data), that 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are looking at nearly nine months of gross income to cover their loans. That's manageable but not generous, particularly in a field where career advancement often requires additional credentials or pivoting into adjacent fields like education, nonprofit work, or corporate communications.

What adds complexity here is the competitive landscape. Notre Dame graduates in this field earn substantially more at $46,030, while Butler and DePauw both exceed $43,000. Even Ball State matches the state median. Taylor sits at the median earnings level but above-median debt, suggesting the private school premium isn't translating to better early outcomes in this particular major. The school's low Pell percentage (13%) indicates limited socioeconomic diversity, which can affect how effectively a language degree opens professional doors through network effects.

For parents, the question becomes whether Taylor's distinctive environment—faith integration, small classes, strong community—justifies taking on $5,000+ more debt than peer programs for similar earnings potential. If your student plans to pursue graduate school or missionary work (common paths for Taylor grads), that extra undergraduate debt compounds quickly. This works best for students with clear language-related career plans and family resources to minimize borrowing.