Analysis
Notre Dame's Romance Languages program places graduates 33% above the national median for their field—a substantial premium that matters in a traditionally lower-earning discipline. First-year earnings of $46,030 beat 95% of similar programs nationwide, though within Indiana's competitive landscape, this ranks only around the 60th percentile. Still, you're looking at a $4,500-per-year advantage over the typical Indiana graduate in this major.
The real story is trajectory. Earnings jump 41% to $65,050 by year four, suggesting Notre Dame's network and institutional prestige open doors that compound over time. The $19,250 debt load—lower than both national and state averages—creates a manageable 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio. For context, that means your child would owe less than five months of their first-year salary, well within the "affordable debt" threshold.
The catch: this is an elite-access program at a 12% acceptance rate school. If your child gets in, they're likely capable of higher-earning fields. The question becomes whether passion for languages justifies earnings below what many other Notre Dame majors deliver. But among students committed to this discipline, few programs offer better outcomes.
Where University of Notre Dame Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Notre Dame graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Notre Dame | $46,030 | $65,050 | +41% |
| Butler University | $43,678 | $53,606 | +23% |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | $33,307 | $48,375 | +45% |
| Valparaiso University | $31,752 | $43,856 | +38% |
| Ball State University | $37,553 | $38,527 | +3% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (29 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Notre DameNotre Dame | $62,693 | $46,030 | $65,050 | $19,250 | 0.42 |
 Butler UniversityIndianapolis | $45,980 | $43,678 | $53,606 | $26,870 | 0.62 |
 DePauw UniversityGreencastle | $57,070 | $43,049 | — | $27,000 | 0.63 |
 Ball State UniversityMuncie | $10,758 | $37,553 | $38,527 | $21,702 | 0.58 |
 Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington | $11,790 | $33,307 | $48,375 | $14,000 | 0.42 |
 Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis | $10,449 | $32,084 | $36,383 | $19,543 | 0.61 |
| National Median | — | $34,497 | — | $22,722 | 0.66 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with romance languages, literatures, and linguistics graduates
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 Notre Dame, approximately 12% 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 52 graduates with reported earnings and 62 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.