Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

UW-La Crosse's Romance Languages program sits right in the middle of Wisconsin's offerings, matching the state median for first-year earnings at $37,018. While that outpaces the national median by about $2,500, it trails the state's top performers—UW-Green Bay and UW-Whitewater—by roughly $5,000 to $6,000. For parents comparing in-state options, this program ranks squarely average among Wisconsin's 24 Romance Languages programs, landing at the 60th percentile statewide.

The financial picture is relatively balanced. Graduates carry $24,747 in debt—slightly above both state and national medians—but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 remains manageable, meaning students owe less than their first year's salary. The 22% earnings growth over four years shows steady progression, bringing median earnings to $45,203, though this still represents modest compensation overall.

For a family considering this major, the key question is whether language study aligns with specific career goals that justify the earnings trajectory. If your child is targeting education, translation, international business, or graduate studies in languages, UW-La Crosse provides a solid, affordable path with reasonable debt levels. If they're undecided or hoping for higher early-career earnings, exploring programs at UW-Green Bay or looking at other majors might be worth the conversation.