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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the early-career earnings of their romance languages graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send romance languages graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Creighton University, our #1 for romance languages graduate salaries in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,627.
Students chasing top earnings in romance languages will find them at Rockhurst University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,482.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the highest-paying schools for romance languages. University Of Kansas is a public school located in the city of Lawrence. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Kansas make a median of around $58,919 per year.
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from College Of Saint Benedict typically earn about $56,210 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in romance languages will find them at South Dakota State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Romance Languages graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of about $48,531 a year early in their careers.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #6 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato make a median of around $64,308 per year.
Luther College earned the #7 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Early-career romance languages graduates from Luther College make a median of around $44,471 per year.
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from Concordia College At Moorhead make a median of around $50,530 per year.
Winona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Winona State University is a public school located in the town of Winona. Romance Languages graduates of Winona State University earn a median of about $47,576 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #10 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $51,974 a year early in their careers.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities make a median of around $57,630 per year.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #12 position for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Nebraska At Kearney make a median of around $42,018 per year.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot for romance languages salaries this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Northern Iowa make a median of around $52,414 per year.
Iowa State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. Romance Languages graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of about $47,493 a year early in their careers.
Truman State University came in at #15 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a public institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Truman State University typically earn about $41,641 annually.
Grinnell College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, romance languages degree recipients from Grinnell College typically earn about $58,680 annually.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying romance languages schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from University Of Minnesota Duluth make a median of around $51,082 per year.
University Of Iowa placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for romance languages. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students who complete the romance languages program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,428.
St Olaf College came in at #19 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career romance languages graduates from St Olaf College make a median of around $32,094 per year.
Central College came in at #20 for romance languages graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Romance Languages graduates of Central College earn a median of about $30,211 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 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.