Best colleges for Germanic Languages
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 181 U.S. colleges offering Germanic Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 45 states.
Germanic Languages programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $55,691 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 16.05 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Germanic Languages programs
The Germanic Languages program, officially titled Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, focuses on the study of Germanic-speaking peoples and their languages. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the rich literary traditions and linguistic structures of Germanic languages, including German, Scandinavian languages, and Dutch/Flemish. Students will delve into the historical and cultural contexts of these languages, enhancing their understanding of the connections between language and identity. This program is suitable for those who wish to pursue careers in translation, education, or cultural studies, providing a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of language use.
In the Germanic Languages program, students develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking and learning strategies, while also covering knowledge areas like foreign languages and customer service. Students engage with a variety of texts and contexts, preparing them for effective communication in diverse environments.
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,286 | 36 | 93% | — | $18,602 |
| 2 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $65,249 | 15 | 73% | — | $23,773 |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $55,691 | 6 | 81% | — | $23,000 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,390 | 12 | 69% | — | $23,405 |
Specializations within Germanic Languages
6 of the 8 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- German Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0501640 graduates / yr168 institutions44 states
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0500122 graduates / yr15 institutions12 states
- Norwegian Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0505limited data10 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0502partial data5 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0599limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Dutch/CIP 16.0504
Flemish Language and Literature limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 8 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Danish Language and Literature16.0503
- Swedish Language and Literature16.0506
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 45 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | $65,249 | University of Rhode Island |
| Michigan | 10 | $55,691 | Michigan State University |
| North Carolina | 5 | $44,390 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Alabamalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 14 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Connecticut | 3 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 6 | — | — |
| Indiana | 8 | — | — |
| Iowa | 4 | — | — |
| Kentucky | 5 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Maryland | 3 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 9 | — | — |
| Minnesota | 7 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jersey | 5 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 8 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohio | 11 | — | — |
| Oklahoma | 4 | — | — |
| Oregon | 5 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | — | — |
| South Carolina | 4 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennessee | 4 | — | — |
| Texas | 7 | — | — |
| Utah | 4 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginia | 3 | — | — |
| Washington | 3 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsin | 9 | — | — |
| Wyominglimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Germanic Languages program can pursue various careers, particularly in translation and education. 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 positions in this area is $59,440, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Germanic Languages
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.05 (Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics) 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 Germanic 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.
Common questions
What languages will I study in this program?+
You will study various Germanic languages, including German, Scandinavian languages, and Dutch/Flemish.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What career options are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work in translation, education, or cultural studies.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual growth rate of 1.7%.
How much do Germanic Languages graduates earn?+
Germanic Languages graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $55,691, College Scorecard (2019); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Germanic Languages?+
Germanic Languages maps to CIP 16.05 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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