Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at The College of Idaho

A Romance Languages degree from The College of Idaho comes with an estimated $25,490 in debt—more than the state median of $23,500—while similar programs in Idaho suggest first-year earnings around $36,200. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 isn't alarming by liberal arts standards, but it means your child would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary, which could delay other financial goals like graduate school or moving to a city with better job prospects for language graduates.

The earnings estimate comes from just three Idaho programs, which matters because Romance Languages careers often depend heavily on geographic location and additional credentials. Language majors who stay in Idaho face a smaller job market than those willing to relocate to international business hubs or pursue teaching certification. Idaho State's reported outcome of $38,054 suggests slightly better prospects at some in-state alternatives, though the differences are modest across Idaho schools.

For a family investing $25,000 in student loans, the practical question is whether your child has a clear plan beyond the degree itself—whether that's graduate school, teaching certification, translation credentials, or a specific international business path. The small program size that prevents outcome reporting here could mean more personalized attention, but it also means less certainty about where graduates actually land. If your child is passionate about languages but unsure about next steps, starting at a school with more transparent outcomes data might provide clearer direction before taking on this debt level.