by our College Data Analytics TeamWestern and Southern European countries are full of fruitful culture and passionate languages. These regions are well known for their beautiful languages that roll off the tongue, producing wonderful poetry, songs and literature. A major in Romantic Languages allows you to focus on the various dialects of the Southern and Western countries of Europe, and other regions. In addition to learning about the languages, you will be instructed in the philology, art, applications in business, and science/ technology.
There are many concentrations within this major; they include French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian, Catalan, and Hispanic and Latin American Languages. While majoring in this field, you will be taking classes in Beginner, Intermediate, and advanced language course, Introduction to the Renaissance, Language History Culture, Caribbean Poetry and Cinema, and History of Literary Theory.
Studying Romance Languages explores Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Read on to learn the key facts every romance languages major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering romance languages programs.
In the U.S., romance languages is a popular field of study, with 12,321 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Romance Languages Schools ranking analyzes these 858 schools to determine the best overall colleges for romance languages students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of romance languages programs later in this article.
Studies in Romance Languages emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations romance languages graduates commonly enter.
An ear for languages and attention to detail will be helpful to learn these languages. Students must have patience and persistence to master the correct enunciation and pronunciation of a foreign language. This major focuses heavily in arts and history, so students should have a passion for those subjects.
In order to prepare for this major, it is advised to take prior language classes while still in High School. Students can also prepare themselves by taking European History, European Art, and English. It is recommended to take advantage of any study abroad programs available at your University.
Skills developed in a romance languages program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a romance languages major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several romance languages degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 93 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 934 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 8,588 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,233 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 339 |
People currently working in careers related to romance languages tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 39.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 33.7% |
| Master’s degree | 17.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in romance languages careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates who major in the Romance Languages receive a broad education preparing them for a variety of careers. Many students become foreign language teachers in grades from Kindergarten to High School or adult Education. You are also well prepared to teach literature or art. You may have to obtain a Master's Degree for some teaching positions.
This could be a great major for anyone who wants to travel in their job. You may find a job working abroad, or work for the U.S. government as a Foreign Service Officer. Other jobs include working as an interpreter or translator.
Studying romance languages can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to romance languages.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to romance languages.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of romance languages graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,134 |
| 4 years | $47,838 |
| 5 years | $56,094 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for romance languages graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers romance languages grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 858 different romance languages programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased romance languages school rankings to help you.
Those considering romance languages, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
