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Vanderbilt University delivers the strongest earning outcomes for Romance Languages graduates in Tennessee with $41,565 median salaries, yet students pay just $19,040 annually after aid. This creates an unusual scenario where the state's most selective program (6.67% acceptance rate) becomes accessible through generous financial aid while public options like UT-Martin cost even less at $10,299. Tennessee's tourism industry and growing international business presence in cities like Nashville create opportunities for multilingual professionals, particularly in hospitality and cultural sectors. The 15 programs span from $10,299 to $26,815 annually, with graduation rates varying dramatically from 17% at Lane College to 92.7% at Vanderbilt. Private colleges dominate the field, offering 13 of the 15 available programs, though public universities provide the lowest net costs for Tennessee residents seeking language studies.
17
Programs
$10,299 – $32,096
Net Price Range
$27,367
Avg. Program Earnings
61.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,299 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
2 $14,494 $11,790 17.0%
3 $18,109 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
4 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
5 $19,040 $63,946 92.7% 6.7%
6 $20,082 $25,000 68.4% 91.2%
7 $20,399 $22,690 60.7% 72.6%
8 $20,986 $38,514 47.2% 69.5%
9 $21,131 $39,350 60.3% 66.7%
10 $23,508 $34,800 46.4% 60.8%
11 $24,334 $25,590 51.4% 65.8%
12 $25,060 $54,892 81.6% 53.9%
13 $25,610 $38,824 68.7% 71.1%
14 $26,135 $24,298 43.5% 71.0%
15 $26,815 $38,450 70.9% 52.6%
16 $27,498 $53,698 82.4% 52.3%
17 $32,096 $41,320 71.7% 96.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Vanderbilt's Romance Languages program unusually affordable despite its selectivity?

Vanderbilt accepts only 6.67% of applicants yet offers substantial financial aid that reduces costs to $19,040 annually. Graduates earn $41,565 median salaries with just $12,000 in debt. The university's $63,946 sticker price drops significantly through need-based aid, making it competitive with mid-tier private colleges in actual student costs.

How do public versus private costs compare for Romance Languages studies?

Tennessee's two public options cost $10,299 at UT-Martin and $18,109 at UT-Knoxville after aid. Private colleges range from $14,494 at Lane College to $26,815 at Union University. Public programs offer lower costs but private colleges provide 13 of the 15 available Romance Languages programs. In-state students at public universities pay significantly less, with UT-Martin charging just $10,208 for residents.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Tennessee?

Graduation rates vary wildly regardless of cost, from Lane College's 17% rate at $14,494 to Vanderbilt's 92.7% at $19,040. UT-Knoxville graduates 73.5% of students for $18,109 annually, while more expensive options like Maryville College achieve only 47.2% completion at $20,986. Rhodes College combines high costs ($25,060) with strong outcomes (81.6% graduation rate).

Where do Romance Languages graduates find employment in Tennessee?

Tennessee's tourism industry in cities like Nashville and Memphis creates demand for multilingual professionals in hospitality and cultural programs. The state's automotive manufacturing sector, including Nissan and Volkswagen plants, values employees with language skills for international business operations. Healthcare systems like HCA benefit from bilingual staff given Tennessee's growing Hispanic population. The music industry also employs language specialists for international artist relations and global marketing.

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