Analysis
William & Mary's Romance Languages program posts $40,260 in first-year earnings—ahead of both the national median ($34,497) and Virginia's typical graduate ($39,264). That's noteworthy for a humanities program, where strong institutional reputation can translate into better employment outcomes. These graduates are doing better than most, even outearning UVA's Romance Languages majors by nearly $2,000.
The $20,500 in median debt is manageable at a 0.51 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning graduates owe about half their annual salary. This matches Virginia's median debt for the program and sits comfortably below typical benchmarks for problem debt. William & Mary's strong academic reputation (33% admission rate, 1458 average SAT) appears to provide real labor market advantages for humanities majors—graduates aren't just getting prestigious degrees, they're converting them into above-average early earnings.
The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly. That said, for parents of humanities-oriented students choosing between Virginia schools, William & Mary's program shows stronger early outcomes than the state's flagship university. It won't deliver engineer-level earnings, but for students passionate about language and literature, this program demonstrates that selective liberal arts training can lead to a reasonable financial start.
Where William & Mary Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all romance languages, literatures, and linguistics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How William & Mary graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (21 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 William & MaryWilliamsburg | $25,040 | $40,260 | — | $20,500 | 0.51 |
 University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville | $20,986 | $38,269 | $58,575 | $14,050 | 0.37 |
| National Median | — | $34,497 | — | $22,722 | 0.66 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with romance languages, literatures, and linguistics graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At William & Mary, approximately 12% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 23 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.