Linguistic, Comparative, at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pitt's linguistics program appears to deliver solid early-career outcomes—recent graduates earn 38% more than the national median for this degree—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. At $22,000 in debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, graduates start with manageable obligations they could reasonably pay down within a few years.

The state comparison reveals an interesting wrinkle: while this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it sits right at Pennsylvania's median for linguistics degrees, suggesting the state overall has strong programs in this field. Earnings growth is modest at 4% over four years, typical for humanities degrees where early career paths often involve graduate school or non-linear career progression. The program draws from a selective student body (average SAT of 1371) at a large research university, which may contribute to these above-average outcomes.

For families comfortable with the small sample caveat, this represents a reasonable investment if your student is genuinely committed to linguistics. The debt load won't be crushing, and starting salaries clear $37,000—enough to live independently in most markets while building toward the next career step. Just recognize that four years out, earnings haven't jumped dramatically, so this degree likely serves best as preparation for graduate work or as part of a broader skill set.