by our College Data Analytics Team
[Romance Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools on the early-career earnings of their romance languages graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose romance languages graduates go on to earn the most.
Occidental College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid romance languages graduates in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Occidental College earn a median of about $70,680 a year early in their careers.
University Of San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of about $69,974 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Washington State University earned it the #3 place for romance languages. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from Washington State University make a median of around $66,735 per year.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,550.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,114.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. California State University Northridge is a public school located in the city of Northridge. Romance Languages graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of about $59,426 a year early in their careers.
Central Washington University came in at #7 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Central Washington University typically earn about $56,845 annually.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa typically earn about $52,002 annually.
Whitworth University earned the #9 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Whitworth University typically earn about $51,233 annually.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #10 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Romance Languages graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $65,810 a year early in their careers.
University Of The Pacific ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of The Pacific make a median of around $61,006 per year.
California State University Fullerton earned the #12 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $45,854 annually.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #13 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara typically earn about $60,275 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot for romance languages salaries this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $61,643 per year.
Sonoma State University landed the #15 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Sonoma State University is a public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Early-career romance languages graduates from Sonoma State University make a median of around $58,303 per year.
University Of California Irvine placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Romance Languages graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $53,654 a year early in their careers.
University Of Redlands landed the #17 spot for romance languages salaries this year. University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,762.
California State University Sacramento came in at #18 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,378.
Whittier College earned the #19 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Whittier, Whittier College is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Whittier College earn a median of about $40,976 a year early in their careers.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Puget Sound make a median of around $64,370 per year.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #21 spot for romance languages salaries this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,675.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #22 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno typically earn about $47,651 annually.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $60,038 annually.
Western Washington University came in at #24 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Western Washington University typically earn about $59,430 annually.
University Of California Davis landed the #25 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Romance Languages graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $53,788 a year early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning romance languages graduates:
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 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.
