Best colleges for Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Any instructional program in foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
48 U.S. institutions graduated 546 Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.9999, a specialization of Foreign Languages (CIP 16.99), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
Any instructional program in foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Foreign Languages program offers students a comprehensive understanding of various foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics. This program is designed for individuals interested in enhancing their language skills and cultural knowledge, preparing them for diverse career paths in communication and education. Students can expect to engage with a variety of languages and explore their literary and linguistic aspects.
Core skills developed in this program include speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Students also gain knowledge in English and foreign languages, customer service, and education. Coursework typically emphasizes critical thinking and learning strategies, equipping graduates with the tools needed for effective communication in multiple languages.
Credentials awarded
What Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree192 graduates / yr · 26 institutions35%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year146 graduates / yr · 12 institutions27%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years51 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate48 graduates / yr · 3 institutions8.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks37 graduates / yr · 3 institutions6.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship25 graduates / yr · 6 institutions4.6%
- Master's degree24 graduates / yr · 6 institutions4.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years20 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.7%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 501 |
| 2013 | 465 |
| 2014 | 382 |
| 2015 | 417 |
| 2016 | 478 |
| 2017 | 463 |
| 2018 | 468 |
| 2019 | 490 |
| 2020 | 486 |
| 2021 | 466 |
| 2022 | 480 |
| 2023 | 495 |
| 2024 | 519 |
| 2025 | 546 |
Top 48 institutions for Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 60 | 53% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 51 | 33% | — | — |
| 3 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 48 | 49% | — | — |
| 4 | Yakima Valley College Yakima, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 29% | — | — |
| 5 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor's | 42 | 87% | — | $42,244 |
| 6 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor's | 34 | 55% | — | $27,644 |
| 7 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 26 | 85% | — | — |
| 8 | Columbia Basin College Pasco, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 33% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 20 | 75% | — | — |
| 10 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 17 | 37% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor's | 15 | 64% | — | — |
| 12 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 15 | 43% | — | — |
| 13 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicDoctoralBachelor's | 14 | 93% | — | — |
| 14 | Everett Community College Everett, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 15 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor's | 13 | 58% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicMaster's | 12 | 72% | — | — |
| 17 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicBachelor's | 11 | 61% | — | — |
| 18 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 10 | 68% | — | — |
| 19 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 93% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 21 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 81% | — | — |
| 22 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 43% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 5 | 71% | — | — |
| 24 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 87% | — | — |
| 25 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 53% | — | — |
| 26 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 27 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 83% | — | — |
| 28 | St Lawrence University Canton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 79% | $24,100 | — |
| 29 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicBachelor's | 2 | 38% | — | — |
| 30 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 29% | — | — |
| 31 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 2 | 60% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NVPublicDoctoral | 2 | 61% | — | — |
| 33 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 48% | — | — |
| 34 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 62% | — | — |
| 35 | Fort Lewis College Durango, COPublicBachelor's | 1 | 36% | — | — |
| 36 | Clark University Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 77% | $23,332 | — |
| 37 | Merrimack College North Andover, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 70% | $33,877 | — |
| 38 | Andrews University Berrien Springs, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 72% | $17,800 | — |
| 39 | Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 59% | $21,096 | — |
| 40 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 64% | $25,090 | — |
| 41 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 42 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 82% | — | — |
| 43 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 60% | — | — |
| 44 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 69% | — | — |
| 45 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 46 | Bennington College Bennington, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 71% | $27,554 | — |
| 47 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 36% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 51% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Foreign Languages field (CIP 16.99) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 27 states
Where Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Foreign Languages programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Foreign Languages program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, secondary school teachers, or postsecondary foreign language educators. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with an annual growth rate of 1.7% and approximately 6,900 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $59,440, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.9999
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 Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 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
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or a postbaccalaureate certificate.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 48 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Foreign Languages program.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual growth rate of 1.7% and about 6,900 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?+
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is CIP 16.9999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Foreign Languages (CIP 16.99). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
How many institutions offer Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs?+
48 U.S. institutions reported Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 27 states, awarding 546 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Foreign Languages graduates.
How much do Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Foreign Languages field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,244, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Foreign Languages graduates, so its figures match the Foreign Languages program page.
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