Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

Best Germanic Languages institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 179 U.S. colleges offering Germanic Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 46 states.

Institutions
179
offering CIP 16.05
States offered
46
with a program page
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
773
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$44,390
1 year after graduation
US pay · Interpreters and Translators
$64,950
BLS OEWS 2024

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.

Learn more about Germanic Languages

What you'll learn

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 5 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI Public · Bachelor's degree
$65,2492873%$23,773
2Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree
$55,691481%$23,000
3University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,3901469%$23,405
4University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,2862193%$18,602
5University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$20,916368%$35,057

Offered across 46 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Rhode Islandlimited1$65,249University of Rhode Island
Michigan7$55,691Michigan State University
North Carolina6$44,390University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Washington5$20,916University of Puget Sound
Alabama3
Arizonalimited2
Arkansaslimited1
California16
Coloradolimited2
Connecticut3
Delawarelimited1
District of Columbialimited2
Floridalimited1
Georgialimited2
Hawaiilimited1
Idaholimited1
Illinois10
Indiana7
Iowa5
Kentucky3
Mainelimited1
Marylandlimited2
Massachusetts7
Minnesota7
Missourilimited2
Montanalimited1
Nebraskalimited1
Nevadalimited1
New Hampshirelimited2
New Jersey4
New York9
North Dakotalimited1
Ohio9
Oklahomalimited2
Oregon5
Pennsylvania12
South Carolinalimited2
South Dakotalimited1
Tennessee3
Texas7
Utah4
Vermontlimited2
Virginia4
West Virginialimited1
Wisconsin9
Wyominglimited1

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.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.7%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~6,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$59,440
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
53,360
Interpreters and Translators
US average pay
$64,950
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$59,440
annual

Top-paying metros

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
$94,460avg
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$92,050avg
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$91,010avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$87,030avg
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$86,460avg

Related careers

Interpreters and Translators
$64,950 avg · 53,360 jobs
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$87,670 avg · 21,170 jobs

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

Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

English Language
Foreign Language
Customer and Personal Service
Education and Training
Administrative
Public Safety and Security

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 & technology

AceTools.biz Ace TranslatorAdapt ItAmoK TranslatorAshkon Translation PadBabylon Online TranslatorDocTranslateElectronic dictionariesExcelTrans Translator

Concentrations within Germanic Languages

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
    CIP 16.0500

    A general program that focuses on one or more of the Germanic languages of Western, Central, and Northern Europe

  • German Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0501

    A program that focuses on the German language and related dialects

  • Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    CIP 16.0502

    A program that focuses on one or more of the languages, literatures, and linguistics of the peoples of Scandinavia and associated Northern European island groups

  • Danish Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0503

    A program that focuses on the Danish language and related dialects

  • Dutch/Flemish Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0504

    A program that focuses on the Dutch language and related dialects

  • Norwegian Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0505

    A program that focuses on the Norwegian language and related dialects

  • Swedish Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0506

    A program that focuses on the Swedish language and related dialects

  • Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
    CIP 16.0599

    Any instructional program in Germanic languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.

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%.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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