Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of Iowa

University of Iowa's Romance Languages program starts rough but recovers impressively. That first-year median of $28,746 sits below both the national average ($34,497) and the Iowa state median ($30,211). But by year four, earnings jump to $53,160—an 85% increase that substantially outpaces typical trajectories for this major. Among Iowa's Romance Languages programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile initially, yet graduates clearly find their footing in ways the early numbers don't capture.

The debt picture is manageable at $23,702, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 that's reasonable even against those modest starting wages. This is roughly in line with what students borrow for this major both nationally and across Iowa. The real question is whether families can weather that difficult first year or two before career momentum builds. The strong four-year earnings suggest many graduates transition into higher-paying fields or roles—perhaps teaching, international business, or graduate programs—that Romance Languages degrees can open up.

For parents comfortable supporting their child through an uncertain launch period, this program shows real promise. That 85% earnings growth indicates graduates develop valuable skills that eventually pay off. Just be prepared: unlike business or nursing majors who start strong out of the gate, Romance Languages students here face a steeper early climb before reaching solid financial ground.