Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

UW Tacoma's Romance Languages program graduates manage to outpace typical Washington outcomes—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—while carrying less than $14,000 in debt, roughly half what most students in this field accumulate. The first-year salary of $34,572 matches the national median exactly, but here's what matters more: graduates see 36% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $47,000. That trajectory suggests these students are finding their footing in the job market, even if they start modestly.

The debt picture is this program's strongest selling point. At a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates owe less than five months' salary—an unusually comfortable position for a humanities degree. Most Romance Languages majors nationally graduate with over $22,000 in debt, making UW Tacoma's $13,559 figure notably manageable. The campus serves a substantial population of Pell Grant students (40%), yet still delivers outcomes that beat most state competitors.

The caveat: fewer than 30 students reported data, so individual circumstances could vary significantly. Still, for families weighing in-state options for language studies, UW Tacoma combines reasonable debt with earnings that actually grow meaningfully over time—a practical combination that many liberal arts programs struggle to match.