Best Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Schools in California

California has 29 colleges offering Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 876 recent graduates. Graduates in California earn $29,150 on average within two years — 10% below the national average of $32,299. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: University of Southern California graduates earn $42,682 while Loyola Marymount University graduates earn $20,140 — a $22,542 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$29,150

CA Avg. Earnings

$32,299

National Avg.

314

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics in California

Public Schools (22)

$28,413

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (7)

$31,466

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $3,053 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,038

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 10.0%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,997

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 11.7%

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,017

Graduates: 58

Acceptance: 27.8%

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,945

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 46.8%

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,481

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 93.1%

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,206

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 94.7%

Occidental College

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $15,793

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 39.9%

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

$31,133

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 80.9%

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$30,988

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,283

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 93.7%

#10

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$30,926

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,621

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 41.6%

#11

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$30,771

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,668

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 86.7%

#12

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$28,055

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $19,892

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 63.3%

#14

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$27,947

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,118

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 47.1%

#15

Whittier College

Whittier, CA · Private

$27,765

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,103

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 85.4%

#16

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$27,618

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,059

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 8.7%

#17

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$27,618

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,294

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 96.2%

#18

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$27,476

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $17,591

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 73.7%

#19

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,134

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 93.6%

#21

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,598

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 95.7%

#23

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$24,035

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,225

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 98.3%

#25

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$22,485

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,856

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 25.6%

#26

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$21,508

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,059

Graduates: 90

Acceptance: 34.4%

#28

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,436

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 62.5%

#29

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,780

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 40.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics in California?

University of Southern California ranks #1 for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics in California with median graduate earnings of $42,682 within two years of graduation. There are 29 schools offering Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs in the state.

How much do Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn in California?

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in California earn an average of $29,150 within two years of graduation. This is 10% below the national average of $32,299 for this major.

What is the hardest Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs in the state is 65.0%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics in California?

In California, private Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs produce average earnings of $31,466 vs $28,413 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 22 public and 7 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889

All colleges in California →

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.