Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of North Texas

The first-year earnings of $24,880 are genuinely concerning—ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally for Romance language programs—but the 81% earnings jump to $45,112 by year four tells a different story. This dramatic growth trajectory suggests graduates may start in entry-level positions (perhaps teaching assistantships or retail) before transitioning into more professional roles, though it's worth noting this still trails considerably behind what students earn at UT Austin or Texas A&M from the start.

Within Texas, UNT ranks at the 25th percentile for this program, meaning three-quarters of Romance language programs in the state produce better initial outcomes. The gap is substantial: Southern Methodist graduates earn more than double UNT's first-year figure, and even nearby public universities like Texas State show significantly stronger starting salaries. The $20,666 debt load is reasonable—actually below the state median—so students aren't over-borrowing, but that manageable debt doesn't offset the reality of spending a full year earning barely above minimum wage.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether your student can weather that difficult first year financially. If they have family support or minimal living expenses, the later earnings recovery makes this more viable than the dismal initial numbers suggest. Without that cushion, however, the financial strain of the first post-graduation year could prove overwhelming, regardless of what happens later.