Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech's Romance Languages program starts graduates at a challenging $25,814—well below both the Texas median of $34,326 and the national benchmark. At just the 25th percentile among Texas programs, this means three-quarters of comparable in-state options deliver better initial outcomes. That first year is particularly tough, with earnings barely above minimum wage territory even with a bachelor's degree.

Here's what makes this complicated: four years out, earnings jump dramatically to $46,691, outpacing programs at UT Austin and Texas State. That 81% growth suggests graduates are finding their footing, possibly moving into education, translation, or other fields where language skills command better compensation. The relatively modest debt load of $19,750 (essentially matching the Texas median) means graduates aren't drowning financially during those lean early years.

The question is whether your family can sustain that difficult first year or two. If your student needs immediate earning power after graduation—perhaps to start repaying loans or support themselves independently—this program's early earnings create real hardship. But if they can weather the initial period through additional support or strategic career planning, the trajectory improves substantially. Among Romance Languages programs specifically, this represents a below-average start with above-average recovery potential.