Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of Redlands

The first year after graduation looks genuinely difficult—$27,731 barely covers living expenses in Southern California—but the trajectory tells a different story. Earnings more than double by year four to $57,040, placing Redlands graduates well above both national and state medians for Romance language programs. That 106% growth rate suggests many graduates are successfully pivoting into careers that value the language and cultural skills without necessarily using them directly.

The debt load of $27,000 sits notably higher than California's typical $16,261 for this major, though it's still manageable given where earnings end up. The real question is whether your student can weather that challenging first year, likely cobbling together teaching positions, translation gigs, or unrelated work while building toward better opportunities. Financial support during that initial period makes this program far less risky.

The small sample size matters here—we're talking about fewer than 30 graduates, so one student's exceptional outcome (or struggle) can skew the numbers significantly. Still, Redlands graduates ultimately catch up to their higher-ranked California peers, just via a rougher path. If your child is resourceful, willing to hustle through a lean first year, and has family support as a safety net, this program delivers reasonable value. Without that cushion, the early earnings gap becomes genuinely concerning.