Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of South Carolina-Columbia

The most striking feature of this program isn't the first-year earnings—which sit at just $21,411, well below the state median of $35,856—but rather the dramatic 135% income jump by year four. That said, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data, and the pattern may reflect just a few graduates' career trajectories rather than typical outcomes.

The debt picture is relatively modest at $23,189, slightly below both state and national medians for Romance language programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.08, graduates can theoretically pay off their loans in just over a year using first-year income—if they're willing to live extremely frugally during that period. By year four, when median earnings reach $50,389, the financial picture looks considerably better, though this still trails top state programs like Wofford and Clemson by about $11,000 annually.

For parents, the key question is whether your student will follow the trajectory this data suggests or end up among those struggling in that difficult first year. The 10th percentile ranking among South Carolina Romance language programs signals this isn't the strongest option in-state, and the tiny sample size means you're essentially betting on an unclear pattern. If your student is passionate about this field, they might consider the stronger-performing programs at Clemson or Wofford, which show more consistent outcomes from the start.