Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Weber State University

Weber State's Romance Languages program shows dramatically different outcomes depending on when you measure success. That first-year salary of $27,989 is rough—about $7,000 below the state median and roughly $6,500 below the national average. Among Utah's seven Romance Languages programs, this ranks near the bottom (25th percentile), trailing considerably behind the state leaders at University of Utah and BYU.

However, the earnings trajectory tells a more complex story. By year four, graduates reach $56,633—a 102% jump that suggests many find their footing in careers that initially required experience-building or additional credentials. The debt picture offers some cushion: at $12,000, it's less than half the national median and well below Utah's typical $16,734. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, even against the weak first-year number, is manageable.

The critical caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual career paths heavily influence the averages. One graduate landing a strong position can skew the entire dataset. For parents, this means the program might work if your child has clear plans for leveraging the degree (teaching certification, graduate school, translation work) and can financially weather that difficult first year. Without a concrete career strategy, the weak initial placement and small program size suggest looking at Utah's stronger alternatives.