Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Boise State University

Boise State's Romance Languages certificate presents a straightforward trade-off: first-year earnings land exactly at the national median for these programs ($36,637), but graduates carry significantly more debt than their peers elsewhere. At $24,695, the debt load sits in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs send students out with less debt. With only two schools offering this credential in Idaho, you're essentially choosing between Boise State and one other option, and Boise State performs slightly better within the state (60th percentile).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 means graduates owe roughly two-thirds of their first year's salary. While not catastrophic, this becomes meaningful when you consider that Romance Language credentials typically serve as stepping stones—perhaps toward teaching, translation, or graduate study—rather than standalone career credentials. That $24,695 in debt could complicate those next steps, especially if additional education is required.

For families considering this certificate, the critical question is whether the specific language expertise or credential requirement justifies the above-average debt load. If your child needs this certificate for a clear professional goal and plans to stay in Idaho where it ranks competitively, the numbers work well enough. If it's exploratory or could be pursued at a lower cost elsewhere, the high debt burden suggests looking at alternatives first.