Compare 94 French Language and Literature. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $40,957.
With top graduates earning $65,050, French Language and Literature stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $24K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Notre Dame's French Language and Literature program leads with graduates earning $65,050, while Loyola University Chicago follows closely at $64,939. The average across 94 Midwest programs is $40,957, yet these programs demonstrate that strong outcomes emerge from focused program excellence rather than overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Notre Dame graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 6.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Minnesota State University-Mankato leads with a 14.3% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $65,050
Strong outcomes ($64,939) with 81% acceptance
6.1% payment burden | Excellent
14.3% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $65,050 | 90 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #2 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $64,939 | 22 | $24,157 | Excellent | $54,045 | High |
| #3 | $58,154 | 126 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $57,770 | 19 | $21,106 | Good | $13,695 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | $54,542 | 10 | $25,000 | Good | $34,177 | High |
| #6 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $54,503 | 18 | $23,250 | Good | $24,467 | Challenging |
| #7 | $53,827 | 62 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #8 | Butler UniversityPrivate | $53,606 | 55 | $26,000 | Good | $52,434 | High |
| #9 | University Of IowaPublic | $53,160 | 65 | $22,500 | Good | $27,975 | Challenging |
| #10 | Hope CollegePrivate | $52,363 | 22 | $26,800 | Manageable | $48,059 | High |
| #11 | Rockhurst UniversityPrivate | $52,037 | 17 | $18,250 | Good | $26,074 | Challenging |
| #12 | $52,001 | 189 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $51,655 | 39 | $23,000 | Good | $16,149 | Challenging | |
| #14 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $50,344 | 42 | $23,940 | Good | $45,500 | High |
| #15 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $50,296 | 9 | $23,168 | Good | $41,563 | High |
| #16 | $49,578 | 36 | $16,704 | Good | $24,323 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $49,420 | 26 | $22,162 | Good | $19,508 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $49,245 | 55 | $21,000 | Good | $25,798 | High | |
| #19 | $48,968 | 20 | $18,500 | Good | $13,480 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $48,375 | 82 | $19,509 | Good | $32,850 | High | |
| #21 | $48,143 | 51 | $20,909 | Good | $12,452 | Challenging | |
| #22 | Wheaton CollegePrivate | $47,994 | 29 | $23,250 | Manageable | $35,000 | High |
| #23 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $47,965 | 38 | $27,000 | Manageable | $37,219 | High |
| #24 | $47,719 | 72 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | High | |
| #25 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | $47,632 | 15 | $25,000 | Manageable | $23,546 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
