Best institutions to study Korean Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Korean language.
20 U.S. institutions graduated 120 Korean Language and Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0303, a specialization of East Asian Languages (CIP 16.03), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Korean Language and Literature programs
A program that focuses on the Korean language. Includes instruction in philology; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Korean Language and Literature program, part of the East Asian Languages field, focuses on the Korean language through various instructional methods. It covers essential areas such as philology, dialects, and practical applications in business and science, making it suitable for students interested in linguistics and cultural studies.
Students in this program develop core skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking and learning strategies, enabling students to effectively engage with both the Korean language and its literature.
Credentials awarded
What Korean Language and Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year53 graduates / yr · 7 institutions44%
- Bachelor's degree44 graduates / yr · 11 institutions37%
- Associate's degree12 graduates / yr · 2 institutions10%
- Award of less than 12 weeks9 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.5%
- Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
Graduates over time
Korean Language and Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 51 |
| 2013 | 58 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 79 |
| 2018 | 96 |
| 2019 | 124 |
| 2020 | 61 |
| 2021 | 104 |
| 2022 | 106 |
| 2023 | 111 |
| 2024 | 129 |
| 2025 | 120 |
Top 20 institutions for Korean 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 29% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 18 | 64% | — | $24,451 |
| 3 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 60% | — | — |
| 4 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 53% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 83% | — | — |
| 6 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 6 | 88% | — | $28,109 |
| 7 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 85% | — | — |
| 8 | De Anza College Cupertino, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 68% | — | — |
| 9 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 46% | — | — |
| 10 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 87% | — | — |
| 11 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 93% | — | $23,980 |
| 12 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 13 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 2 | 84% | — | — |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 86% | — | — |
| 15 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 16 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 17 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 18 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 70% | — | — |
| 19 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate's | 1 | 20% | — | — |
| 20 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 91% | $20,918 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader East Asian Languages field (CIP 16.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 14 states
Where Korean Language and Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all East Asian Languages programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | 42 | Los Angeles City College32 / yr |
| Hawaii | 1 | 18 | University of Hawaii at Manoa18 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 14 | Boise State University14 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 12 | Georgia State University12 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 8 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst6 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 6 | Weber State University4 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 6 | Ohio State University - Main Campus6 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 5 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus5 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 2 | 2 | George Washington University1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 2 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick2 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 2 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus2 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County1 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | Austin Community College District1 / yr |
| Vermont | 1 | 1 | Middlebury College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Korean Language and Literature program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, with a median wage of $59,440. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an estimated 6,900 annual openings. A bachelor's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0303
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 Korean 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 East Asian Languages specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under East Asian Languages (CIP 16.03).
- Japanese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0302783 graduates / yr117 institutions
- Chinese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0301524 graduates / yr100 institutions
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0300288 graduates / yr28 institutions
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0399partial data64 graduates / yr6 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Tibetan Language and Literature16.0304
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree can I earn from this program?+
You can earn a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or shorter awards ranging from less than 12 weeks to at least 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or a foreign language teacher.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Korean Language and Literature?+
Korean Language and Literature is CIP 16.0303 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within East Asian Languages (CIP 16.03). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the Korean language. Includes instruction in philology; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer Korean Language and Literature programs?+
20 U.S. institutions reported Korean Language and Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 120 credentials in the year. That is 6.7% of all East Asian Languages graduates.
How much do Korean 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 Korean Language and Literature most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader East Asian Languages field report median earnings of $24,451 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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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