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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their romance languages graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying romance languages schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose romance languages graduates go on to earn the most.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #1 spot for highest-paid romance languages graduates in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago typically earn about $66,967 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Bradley University earned it the #2 place for romance languages. 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $61,256 annually.
Knox College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Set in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Knox College typically earn about $51,047 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Illinois State University earned it the #5 place for romance languages. Located 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 earned the #6 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $62,665 a year early in their careers.
Elmhurst College came in at #7 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Romance Languages graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of about $65,456 a year early in their careers.
Northern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Northern Illinois University is a public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Early-career romance languages graduates from Northern Illinois University make a median of around $53,528 per year.
Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Depaul University earn a median of about $55,163 a year early in their careers.
Lake Forest College came in at #10 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Early-career romance languages graduates from Lake Forest College make a median of around $49,254 per year.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University typically earn about $40,152 annually.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of about $37,025 a year early in their careers.
Augustana College Illinois placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois typically earn about $55,297 annually.
Dominican University landed the #14 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,102.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their romance languages graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 14 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.