Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso's Romance Languages program places graduates at a significant disadvantage compared to in-state alternatives, ranking in just the 25th percentile among Indiana schools. First-year earnings of $31,752 trail the state median by nearly $6,000 and fall well behind competitors like Butler ($43,678) and DePauw ($43,049). Even Ball State—a public university with lower tuition—produces better outcomes at $37,553. The 38% earnings growth by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but graduates still earn less at the four-year mark than many peers do straight out of college.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $26,900, graduates borrow modestly relative to other language programs nationally (10th percentile). Combined with the low starting salary, this creates a manageable but not particularly attractive debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.85. The problem isn't crushing debt—it's that the investment doesn't deliver competitive returns compared to other Indiana options.

The catch: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary considerably. For families committed to studying Romance Languages in Indiana, this data suggests looking hard at the state's stronger programs first. Valparaiso's high admission rate and moderate academic profile may appeal to some students, but the earnings disadvantage is substantial enough to warrant serious consideration of alternatives.