by our College Data Analytics Team
[Romance Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where romance languages graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose romance languages graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Boston College the top school for romance languages graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Boston College typically earn about $84,188 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in romance languages will find them at Wake Forest University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of about $74,367 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Richmond earned it the #3 place for romance languages. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Richmond typically earn about $71,914 annually.
Providence College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in romance languages, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Providence College typically earn about $71,726 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in romance languages will find them at Occidental College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from Occidental College make a median of around $70,680 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #6 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,508.
University Of San Diego earned the #7 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of San Diego make a median of around $69,974 per year.
Duke University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from Duke University make a median of around $69,708 per year.
Creighton University came in at #9 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from Creighton University make a median of around $68,627 per year.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #10 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $66,967 a year early in their careers.
Bentley University landed the #11 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Bentley University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Romance Languages graduates of Bentley University earn a median of about $66,917 a year early in their careers.
Washington State University earned the #12 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Washington State University is a public school located in the town of Pullman. Early-career romance languages graduates from Washington State University make a median of around $66,735 per year.
University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $66,550 a year early in their careers.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $66,168 per year.
Bradley University landed the #15 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,869.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #16 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career romance languages graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $78,873 per year.
Southern Methodist University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $73,502 a year early in their careers.
Colgate University came in at #18 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Colgate University earn a median of about $79,583 a year early in their careers.
Bucknell University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of about $80,998 a year early in their careers.
University Of Rhode Island placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. University Of Rhode Island is a public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Rhode Island make a median of around $65,364 per year.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #21 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Suny At Geneseo is a public school located in the town of Geneseo. Early-career romance languages graduates from Suny At Geneseo make a median of around $61,314 per year.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #22 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,256.
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #23 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from College Of The Holy Cross make a median of around $74,806 per year.
Loyola Marymount University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $61,114 a year early in their careers.
Rockhurst University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Rockhurst University typically earn about $60,482 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid romance languages ranking:
Also worth considering for earnings in romance languages:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Brigham Young University Provo | Provo, UT | $71,117 | Full Report |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Romance Languages rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries romance languages graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
