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University of Northern Iowa delivers the state's most affordable Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics education at just $14,609 net cost, while graduates earn $40,281 annually. This significant return on investment reflects Iowa's growing international business sector, where companies like Principal Financial and John Deere increasingly need multilingual professionals to serve global markets. The cost gap between public and private options spans dramatically, with Grinnell College charging $15,608 despite its $64,862 sticker price thanks to generous financial aid. Iowa State University offers another public alternative at $18,165, producing graduates who earn $36,674. The state's agricultural and insurance industries create unexpected opportunities for language specialists, particularly in trade documentation, international client relations, and global supply chain management. With acceptance rates ranging from Grinnell's selective 10.76% to Grand View University's open 98.41%, students can find programs matching their academic preparation while keeping costs reasonable.
21
Programs
$14,609 – $30,042
Net Price Range
$32,110
Avg. Program Earnings
64.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,609 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
2 $15,608 $64,862 87.5% 10.8%
3 $15,975 $33,220 38.3% 74.5%
4 $18,165 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
5 $18,321 $40,190 47.3% 77.3%
6 $19,155 $52,576 59.0%
7 $20,068 $39,600 54.9% 84.8%
8 $21,057 $38,298 69.9% 89.8%
9 $21,398 $10,964 73.1% 86.0%
10 $21,590 $35,534 49.4%
11 $21,616 $33,450 55.8% 98.4%
12 $22,231 $46,212 65.7% 89.1%
13 $22,353 $20,988 69.2% 79.2%
14 $22,604 $51,040 66.8% 97.5%
15 $22,750 $35,598 62.8% 73.9%
16 $23,169 $38,190 52.8% 70.6%
17 $23,519 $35,300 63.6% 87.3%
18 $25,079 $50,634 71.7% 79.3%
19 $25,383 $35,960 65.3% 87.7%
20 $25,635 $50,320 75.0% 75.3%
21 $30,042 $49,944 77.3% 67.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Northern Iowa's program such good value at $14,609?

UNI combines the lowest net cost in the state with the highest graduate earnings at $40,281 annually. The 94.95% acceptance rate makes admission accessible, while the 68.90% graduation rate indicates solid student support. This public institution leverages Iowa's affordable living costs to keep education expenses manageable.

How does Grinnell College cost only $15,608 with a $64,862 sticker price?

Grinnell's substantial endowment funds generous need-based aid that reduces costs for most students. However, graduates earn just $19,227, the lowest among reporting schools. The 10.76% acceptance rate reflects high selectivity, while the 87.50% graduation rate shows strong academic outcomes.

Is there a significant difference between public and private program costs?

Public universities like UNI and Iowa State charge $14,609 and $18,165 respectively, while most private colleges range from $19,155 to $22,750. However, some private schools offer competitive aid packages. Central College surprisingly costs just $20,988 in total, making it comparable to many public options.

Where do Romance language graduates typically find work in Iowa?

Iowa's agricultural exporters, insurance companies, and manufacturing firms increasingly need multilingual professionals. Principal Financial serves international markets requiring Spanish and other language skills. John Deere's global operations create opportunities in technical translation and international sales support across multiple Romance languages.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Iowa?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with Grinnell leading at 87.50% and most programs above $20,000 graduating 60-70% of students. However, affordable options like Iowa State achieve 75.50% graduation rates. Graceland University shows the lowest completion at 38.30% despite moderate costs.

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