by our College Data Analytics Team
[Romance Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their romance languages graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 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.
Loyola University Chicago tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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.
Students chasing top earnings in romance languages will find them at Bradley University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Bradley University earn a median of about $65,869 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Chicago produces some of the highest-paid graduates in romance languages, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of about $61,256 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Notre Dame earned it the #4 place for romance languages. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Notre Dame make a median of around $78,861 per year.
Carthage College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in romance languages, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,640.
Beloit College landed the #6 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Set in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from Beloit College make a median of around $55,218 per year.
Northern Michigan University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Northern Michigan University typically earn about $53,611 annually.
Aquinas College Michigan ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Aquinas College Michigan typically earn about $53,158 annually.
Depauw University came in at #9 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,130.
Saint Marys College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Saint Marys College typically earn about $51,492 annually.
Knox College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Knox College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Early-career romance languages graduates from Knox College make a median of around $51,047 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire make a median of around $60,794 per year.
Illinois State University earned the #13 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Romance Languages graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $47,097 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $62,665 annually.
Marquette University came in at #15 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,023.
Elmhurst College came in at #16 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Elmhurst College typically earn about $65,456 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #17 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $53,891 a year early in their careers.
Denison University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Denison University typically earn about $50,912 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay typically earn about $49,735 annually.
Northern Illinois University earned the #20 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,528.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #21 spot for romance languages salaries this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school located in the city of Madison. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $60,761 annually.
Depaul University earned the #22 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Depaul University typically earn about $55,163 annually.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #23 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,679.
Miami University Oxford came in at #24 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Miami University Oxford typically earn about $50,825 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #25 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $57,941 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning romance languages graduates:
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 · 50 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.