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Romance Languages Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Berea College stands out dramatically among Romance Languages programs, requiring zero tuition yet delivering a $23,579 median salary with 62% graduation rates. This Kentucky institution accepts just 24.58% of applicants, making it the most selective option while remaining completely free through its work-study model. Most affordable programs cluster in New York's CUNY system, where net costs range from $2,446 at Hunter College to $4,734 at York College. CUNY Hunter graduates earn $34,847 annually, the highest among all programs listed, while maintaining strong job placement in New York's international business sector and cultural institutions. Texas A&M International in Laredo offers border region advantages with $3,061 net costs, positioning graduates for roles in cross-border trade and Hispanic media markets. The translation and interpretation industry employs over 76,000 professionals nationwide, with particular demand in major metropolitan areas where many of these affordable programs operate.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $9,133
Net Price Range
$28,534
Avg. Program Earnings
47.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
4 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
5 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
6 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
7 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
8 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
9 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
10 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
11 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
12 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
13 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
14 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
15 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
16 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
17 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
18 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
19 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
20 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
21 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
22 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
23 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
24 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
25 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
26 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
27 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
28 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
29 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
30 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
31 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
32 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
33 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
34 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
35 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
36 $8,130 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
37 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
38 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
39 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
40 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
41 $8,750 $7,680 27.3%
42 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
43 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
44 $8,900 $9,214 27.1% 91.5%
45 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
46 $9,055 $8,454 48.3% 98.5%
47 $9,082 $8,179 45.4% 77.6%
48 $9,110 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
49 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
50 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between Romance Languages programs?

CUNY Hunter College graduates earn $34,847 annually, while Texas A&M International graduates average $21,234. Geographic location drives much of this $13,613 difference. Hunter College benefits from New York's concentration of international organizations, media companies, and cultural institutions requiring multilingual professionals. Border regions like Laredo offer different opportunities but typically lower median salaries across all fields.

How does Berea College offer Romance Languages education without tuition?

Berea College operates on a work-study model where every student works on campus to cover educational costs. Students pay $0 in tuition while attending this Kentucky institution. The college accepts only 24.58% of applicants and maintains a 62% graduation rate. This makes Berea the most selective program on the list while remaining completely free for admitted students.

Is the CUNY system the best value for Romance Languages studies?

CUNY offers strong value with seven campuses providing Romance Languages programs under $5,000 net cost. Hunter College leads with $34,847 graduate earnings and 61% graduation rates for just $2,446 annually. However, graduation rates vary significantly across CUNY campuses, from York College's 30.3% to Baruch's 72.1%. Students should consider both cost and completion rates when choosing among CUNY options.

Does location matter for Romance Languages career outcomes?

Geographic location significantly impacts both program costs and graduate earnings in Romance Languages fields. California State programs cost around $3,600-4,100 annually but show varied outcomes. New York programs consistently produce higher-earning graduates, with multiple CUNY schools showing $30,000+ median salaries. Border regions like Laredo offer specialized opportunities in international trade and Hispanic media but typically lower overall compensation.

Where can students find Romance Languages programs under $5,000?

Fourteen programs nationwide offer Romance Languages education for under $5,000 net cost annually. CUNY dominates this list with eight campuses ranging from $2,446 to $4,734. Berea College costs $4,483 through its work-study model. California State universities and Texas A&M International round out the most affordable options. Most concentrate in major metropolitan areas with significant multilingual populations.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.