Best institutions to study Latin Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Latin language and literature from its origins through its decline and its current ecclesiastical usage, as a secular and/or theological subject.
22 U.S. institutions graduated 38 Latin Language and Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.1203, a specialization of Classics and Classical Languages (CIP 16.12), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Latin Language and Literature programs
A program that focuses on the Latin language and literature from its origins through its decline and its current ecclesiastical usage, as a secular and/or theological subject. Includes instruction in philology, related Italic dialects, Late Roman and Medieval Latin, and modern Church Latin.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Latin Language and Literature program focuses on the study of the Latin language and its literature from its origins to its decline and current ecclesiastical usage. This program is designed for students interested in exploring Latin as both a secular and theological subject, providing a comprehensive understanding of its historical and cultural significance.
Students will acquire core skills in speaking, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes instruction in philology, related Italic dialects, Late Roman and Medieval Latin, and modern Church Latin, equipping graduates with a strong foundation in language and literature.
Credentials awarded
What Latin Language and Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree21 graduates / yr · 14 institutions55%
- Associate's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution16%
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 3 institutions11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.9%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
Graduates over time
Latin Language and Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 100 |
| 2013 | 90 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2015 | 74 |
| 2016 | 61 |
| 2017 | 59 |
| 2018 | 90 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2021 | 46 |
| 2022 | 50 |
| 2023 | 46 |
| 2024 | 37 |
| 2025 | 38 |
Top 22 institutions for Latin Language and Literature, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate's | 6 | 20% | — |
| 2 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 71% | — |
| 3 | Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 79% | $26,585 |
| 4 | Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 90% | — |
| 5 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 2 | 60% | — |
| 6 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 94% | $23,570 |
| 7 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 2 | 93% | — |
| 8 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 2 | 65% | — |
| 9 | Oberlin College Oberlin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 81% | $28,313 |
| 10 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster's | 1 | 91% | — |
| 11 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 91% | $20,586 |
| 12 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 70% | $22,641 |
| 13 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $33,454 |
| 14 | Amherst College Amherst, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 94% | $16,081 |
| 15 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 98% | $15,013 |
| 16 | Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Norton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $26,445 |
| 17 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 1 | 64% | — |
| 18 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster's | 1 | 64% | — |
| 19 | Trinity University San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 84% | $20,327 |
| 20 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 81% | $13,712 |
| 21 | Saint Norbert College De Pere, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 71% | $23,319 |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 90% | — |
Offered in 13 states
Where Latin Language and Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Classics and Classical Languages programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2 | 7 | Austin Community College District6 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 4 | 5 | Tufts University2 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 5 | Hillsdale College3 / yr |
| Ohio | 3 | 4 | Oberlin College2 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 3 | University of Kentucky3 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 3 | Loyola University Maryland3 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 2 | Emory University1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 2 | Saint Norbert College1 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 2 | Boise State University2 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Montclair State University2 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | University of Florida1 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Loyola University Chicago1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | Brigham Young University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Latin Language and Literature program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, secondary school teachers, or postsecondary foreign language and literature teachers. The job outlook for related occupations shows little or no change, with an estimated 6,900 annual openings and a median wage of $59,440, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.1203
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interpreters and Translatorsprimary SOC 27-3091 | $60,170 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~6,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1124 | $79,350 | -0.2% Little or no change | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Latin Language and Literature programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Tools and technology used
Other Classics and Classical Languages specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Classics and Classical Languages (CIP 16.12).
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.12001,000 graduates / yr170 institutions
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.129974 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Ancient/CIP 16.1202
Classical Greek Language and Literature 31 graduates / yr16 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or a teacher in secondary or postsecondary education.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with 6,900 annual openings and a median wage of $59,440.
What is the CIP code for Latin Language and Literature?+
Latin Language and Literature is CIP 16.1203 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Classics and Classical Languages (CIP 16.12). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the Latin language and literature from its origins through its decline and its current ecclesiastical usage, as a secular and/or theological subject. Includes instruction in philology, related Italic dialects, Late Roman and Medieval Latin, and modern Church Latin.
How many institutions offer Latin Language and Literature programs?+
22 U.S. institutions reported Latin Language and Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states, awarding 38 credentials in the year. That is 3.3% of all Classics and Classical Languages graduates.
How much do Latin Language and Literature graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which Latin Language and Literature most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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