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The 96.80% graduation rate at Notre Dame stands as the clear leader among Indiana's Romance Languages programs, though students pay $27,823 annually for that excellence. At the opposite end, Indiana University-Southeast offers the lowest net price at $8,257, making language study accessible to first-generation college students statewide. This stark pricing divide reflects Indiana's educational philosophy of serving both elite academic achievers and working-class families through different institutional models. Romance language graduates find opportunities throughout Indiana's global manufacturing sector, where companies like Cummins and Eli Lilly conduct business across Latin America and Europe. The state's growing Hispanic population, now representing 7.6% of residents, creates demand for bilingual professionals in healthcare, education, and social services. Ball State and Indiana University-Bloomington offer middle-ground options, with net prices around $15,000 and graduation rates exceeding 60%. These programs prepare students for careers in international business, translation services, and cultural education within Indiana's increasingly connected economy.
29
Programs
$5,970 – $38,472
Net Price Range
$33,997
Avg. Program Earnings
62.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,364 $28,960 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
2 $11,408 $34,704 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
3 $13,945 $32,382 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
4 $12,621 $25,194 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
5 $27,823 $54,630 $62,693 96.8% 12.9%
6 $15,898 $31,133 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
7 $15,342 $28,443 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
8 $21,583 $33,993 $46,588 67.0% 94.2%
9 $24,546 $35,416 $57,070 80.0% 65.8%
10 $28,552 $32,925 $51,430 76.5% 83.9%
11 $38,472 $36,183 $45,980 80.2% 82.1%
12 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
13 $24,516 $51,840 67.9% 73.2%
14 $21,906 $49,125 77.1% 61.5%
15 $24,327 $39,104 76.6% 74.6%
16 $20,230 $42,676 71.3% 76.3%
17 $23,069 $31,168 66.3% 86.7%
18 $23,594 $39,100 60.9% 93.8%
19 $19,268 $37,090 44.8% 66.4%
20 $9,082 $8,179 45.4% 77.6%
21 $22,762 $37,350 63.4% 92.9%
22 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
23 $19,726 $33,320 57.2% 99.5%
24 $22,144 $35,640 49.4% 51.8%
25 $18,748 $36,136 55.8% 76.1%
26 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
27 $21,826 $42,894 63.6% 74.1%
28 $18,406 $30,034 69.9% 84.6%
29 $15,725 $37,760 60.5% 93.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Notre Dame's $54,630 median earnings compared to other programs?

Notre Dame graduates earn nearly double the $25,194 median at University of Southern Indiana, reflecting both the institution's alumni network strength and rigorous academic preparation. The 96.80% graduation rate indicates students complete their degrees consistently, while the 12.91% acceptance rate ensures highly motivated cohorts. Many Notre Dame language graduates pursue graduate school or enter competitive fields like international law and diplomacy.

How do public university costs compare for Romance language students?

Indiana's public universities range from $8,257 at IU-Southeast to $15,342 at IU-Bloomington, a difference of over $7,000 annually. Purdue offers the best value among research universities at $13,945 net price with an 83.10% graduation rate. In-state students particularly benefit, with costs as low as $8,179 at regional campuses while maintaining access to quality language instruction.

Is debt load manageable for Romance language graduates in Indiana?

Most programs show reasonable debt levels, with IU-Bloomington graduates carrying just $13,000 in loans despite strong earnings potential of $28,443. Notre Dame students graduate with $19,000 in debt but earn $54,630 annually, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio. Private colleges like DePauw and Valparaiso show higher debt loads around $27,000, requiring careful financial planning.

Where do graduation rates perform best among Indiana programs?

Notre Dame leads dramatically with 96.80% of students completing their Romance language degrees, followed by Purdue at 83.10% and IU-Bloomington at 81.20%. Regional campuses struggle more, with IU-South Bend at 35.70% and IU-Southeast at 33.40%. Butler University achieves 80.20% despite being a smaller private institution, demonstrating strong student support systems.

Does Indiana's job market support Romance language careers?

Indiana's manufacturing giants like Cummins conduct extensive business in Spanish-speaking markets, creating demand for bilingual professionals in engineering and sales roles. The state's healthcare system, anchored by Indiana University Health, serves growing Latino communities requiring interpretation and cultural liaison services. Median earnings of $28,443 to $54,630 reflect varied career paths from education to international business development.

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