Learning-Journey Romance? That I can buy, though Rothfuss might be more a Kunstlerroman (Artistic-Development Romance).
But yeah:
Young, effeminate, love-staved boy is thrust into life imprisonment for no other reason than his father despises him. Finds love, and a masculine core, then is allowed to develop the scholarly discipline that he's craved since a child. All told against the backdrop of the social and political upheaval of a socially backward nation in civil war?
Sounds like Sam's character arc to me.
As for parallels:
Kvothe was from a good family Sam was from a noble family.
of free self employed
entertainers.
Kvothe was separated from his Sam was violently discarded.
family by violence.
Kvothe lived on the streets as a Sam is imprisoned for life
criminal. with criminals.
Kvothe takes advantage of Sam takes advantage of
relationships to get into college. relationships to go to college.
Kvothe develops a love affair Sam. . .
with an outcast.
It goes on ad nauseum.
Kvothe's parents were killed, while Sam is ophaned by the loss of his mother and disownment by his father. And of course in any comparison there will be discrepancies as well. But then were aren't accusing anyone of plagerism.