Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of California-Santa Cruz
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
UC Santa Cruz's Romance Languages program sits in an interesting middle ground: it outperforms most California programs (60th percentile statewide) while trailing the national median by about $1,500. For California families, this matters—graduates here earn more than the typical Romance Languages major staying in-state, though they're still considerably behind UC Berkeley ($40,818) and other top programs. The $17,340 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings, producing a 0.53 ratio that's reasonable for a humanities degree.
However, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. The $32,934 starting salary is typical for language majors who often pursue teaching, translation, or graduate school rather than immediate high earnings. One-third of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the debt burden is lighter than you might expect at a UC campus.
For families considering this path, understand you're investing in a degree that opens doors to specific career tracks rather than immediate financial returns. If your student is passionate about language and culture and comfortable with a humanities salary trajectory, UCSC performs solidly within California's landscape. Just recognize that Romance Languages programs everywhere face similar earnings realities—this isn't unique to Santa Cruz.
Where University of California-Santa Cruz 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 University of California-Santa Cruz graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of California-Santa Cruz graduates earn $33k, placing them in the 43th percentile of all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (63 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Cruz | $32,934 | — | $17,340 | 0.53 |
| University of the Pacific | $43,472 | $55,111 | $23,750 | 0.55 |
| University of California-Berkeley | $40,818 | $50,767 | $11,593 | 0.28 |
| University of California-Irvine | $36,692 | $44,184 | $9,500 | 0.26 |
| Chapman University | $36,546 | — | $20,500 | 0.56 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | $36,444 | $36,201 | $19,083 | 0.52 |
| National Median | $34,497 | — | $22,722 | 0.66 |
Other Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Pacific Stockton | $55,340 | $43,472 | $23,750 |
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $40,818 | $11,593 |
| University of California-Irvine Irvine | $14,237 | $36,692 | $9,500 |
| Chapman University Orange | $62,784 | $36,546 | $20,500 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata | $7,913 | $36,444 | $19,083 |
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 University of California-Santa Cruz, approximately 32% 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 25 graduates with reported earnings and 35 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.