Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $37,845 at Minnesota State University-Mankato come in 9% above the national median of $34,637 for Romance Languages programs.
With a 15.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Romance Languages career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $37,845 far exceeding the $18,825 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Minnesota State University-Mankato ranks #4 among 198 Romance Languages programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $37,845-to-$64,308 earnings arc over five years reflects a 70% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.