Best colleges for Linguistic in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and Benedictine University award the most Linguistic degrees in Illinois: 41, 31 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Illinois colleges offer Linguistic and award 189 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Linguistic program, formally known as Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, focuses on the scientific study of language. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,921 | 41 | 85% | — | $19,500 |
| 2 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,921 | 31 | 62% | — | $24,500 |
| 3 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,155 | 2 | 45% | — | $29,875 |
Colleges awarding the most Linguistic degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 41 | $25,921 |
| 2 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 31 | $25,921 |
| 3 | Benedictine University Lisle Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
| 6 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Elgin Community College Elgin Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 8 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 9 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public | 2 | $37,155 |
ShowHide the other 3 Illinois colleges offering Linguistic
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Public | 9 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | Public | 1 |
| Principia College | Elsah | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Interpreters and Translators (SOC 27-3091).
Top skills
What Interpreters and Translators earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Linguistic programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Linguistic degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (41 graduates a year), Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (31 graduates a year) and Benedictine University (28 graduates a year) award the most Linguistic degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Illinois colleges offer Linguistic.
Which Linguistic program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tops the list at $25,921. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Interpreters and Translators earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Interpreters and Translators in Illinois is $58,650 (median $55,290), across about 1,510 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Linguistic program?+
The Linguistic program, formally known as Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, focuses on the scientific study of language. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Interpreters and Translators?+
The national job outlook is about +1.7% growth with around 6,900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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