Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of Illinois Chicago

The most impressive number here isn't what graduates earn initially—it's what happens by year four. While similar Romance language programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $36,400, UIC graduates in this program report $49,578 four years out. That's a 36% jump that outpaces what peer programs like DePaul ($39,207) and even powerhouse U of I Urbana-Champaign ($38,942) achieve, suggesting graduates successfully leverage their language skills into better career trajectories than most expect.

The debt picture reinforces this advantage. At $17,559, borrowing here runs about $8,000 below the state median for these programs and substantially less than the national benchmark of $22,722. This puts the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.48—manageable even in those potentially lean first years when language majors often start in education, translation, or entry-level positions before finding their footing.

For an anxious parent, here's what matters: UIC serves a predominantly working-class student body (half receive Pell grants), yet still produces Romance language graduates who ultimately out-earn most of their Illinois peers while taking on significantly less debt. The four-year earnings figure is actual reported data for this program, not an estimate, which gives you concrete evidence that whatever career paths these graduates pursue—whether teaching, international business, graduate school, or other fields—they're working. The modest initial investment paired with strong mid-term outcomes makes this one of the more sensible Romance language programs in the state.