Best institutions to study Foreign Languages
Compare 48 U.S. colleges offering Foreign Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 27 states.
Foreign Languages programs report a median of $42,244 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 16.99 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Foreign Languages programs
The Foreign Languages program focuses on the study of various languages, literatures, and linguistics. This program is designed for students interested in understanding and communicating in multiple languages, as well as exploring the cultural and literary contexts of those languages. It is ideal for individuals who wish to enhance their global communication skills and cultural awareness.
Students in the Foreign Languages program develop core skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. They also gain knowledge in areas such as English and foreign languages, customer service, and education. Coursework may include translation techniques, linguistic analysis, and the study of language structure and meaning.
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,244 | 42 | 87% | — | $22,715 |
| 2 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,644 | 34 | 55% | — | $26,120 |
Offered across 27 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | $42,244 | Clemson University |
| Georgia | 4 | $27,644 | Georgia Southern University |
| Alaskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 7 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 5 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washington | 5 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Foreign Languages program can pursue various careers in translation, interpretation, and language education. The job outlook shows a growth rate of 1.7% with approximately 6,900 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is $59,440, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Foreign Languages
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.99.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.99 (Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Foreign Languages programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Concentrations within Foreign Languages
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, OtherCIP 16.9999
Any instructional program in foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
Common questions
What can I do with a degree in Foreign Languages?+
Graduates can work in translation, interpretation, education, and various roles requiring language skills.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and critical thinking.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook indicates a growth rate of 1.7% with about 6,900 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most positions in this field require at least a bachelor's degree.
How much do Foreign Languages graduates earn?+
Foreign Languages graduates report median earnings of $42,244 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Foreign Languages?+
Foreign Languages maps to CIP 16.99 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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