Bachelor's · Kalamazoo, Michigan

Is Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Kalamazoo College worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Graduates typically don't earn back the cost within 20 years, compared with the no-degree baseline.

Earnings 1 year after graduating: $31,437; Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating: Not enough graduates to report; Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation: $24,500; NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families: $88k (likely $88k – $99k); AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4: −$4k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in MI; 2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback: Not within 20 years in most scenarios; Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return: −$299k (likely −$362k – −$243k); Today's dollars
20-year net return: −$340k (likely −$453k – −$221k); Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide): 74%; Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at other schools

🌍 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward languages & cultures majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

AP Spanish Language and Culture (or French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Latin)
AP World History: Modern
AP Human Geography

IB Higher Level

Language B HL
History HL or Geography HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

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