Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at Idaho State University

Idaho State's Romance Languages program shows surprisingly strong numbers for humanities, though the small graduate sample means individual outliers could skew these figures significantly. Earning $38,054 in year one places graduates well above both the national median ($34,497) and Idaho's state median ($36,200)—performing better than 60% of similar programs statewide. More importantly, the $28,000 debt load is exceptionally low, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally, which translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio below 0.75.

The trajectory looks promising too: earnings climb 12% to $42,529 by year four, suggesting graduates find their footing in the job market rather than hitting a ceiling. This combination—competitive starting pay and minimal debt—addresses the main concern with humanities degrees. For context, this outperforms Boise State's similar program by over $11,000 in first-year earnings.

The caveat matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one student landing a high-paying job or another struggling could shift these averages considerably. But if your child genuinely wants to study languages and literature, this program demonstrates you don't need to accept crushing debt to pursue it. The low borrowing, particularly, gives graduates breathing room to find their path without immediate financial pressure.