Best institutions to study German Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the German language and related dialects.
168 U.S. institutions graduated 640 German Language and Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0501, a specialization of Germanic Languages (CIP 16.05), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About German Language and Literature programs
A program that focuses on the German language and related dialects. 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 German Language and Literature program, part of the Germanic Languages field, focuses on the German language and its dialects. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of German-speaking regions. It prepares graduates for various applications in business, science, and technology, among other fields.
Students in this program will develop core skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework typically includes philology, dialect studies, and practical applications of the language, equipping students with the knowledge necessary for effective communication in diverse settings.
Credentials awarded
What German Language and Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree394 graduates / yr · 132 institutions62%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year103 graduates / yr · 19 institutions16%
- Master's degree61 graduates / yr · 30 institutions9.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship42 graduates / yr · 19 institutions6.6%
- Associate's degree20 graduates / yr · 6 institutions3.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
Graduates over time
German Language and Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,254 |
| 2013 | 1,134 |
| 2014 | 1,103 |
| 2015 | 1,033 |
| 2016 | 1,020 |
| 2017 | 943 |
| 2018 | 894 |
| 2019 | 894 |
| 2020 | 850 |
| 2021 | 823 |
| 2022 | 669 |
| 2023 | 641 |
| 2024 | 632 |
| 2025 | 640 |
Top 50 institutions for German 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 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 43 | 89% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 36 | 93% | — | $41,286 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 85% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 15 | 73% | — | $65,249 |
| 5 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 6 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 45% | — | — |
| 7 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sBachelor's | 14 | 46% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 13 | 90% | — | — |
| 9 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 12 | 38% | — | — |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor's | 12 | 69% | — | $44,390 |
| 11 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 11 | 70% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 10 | 71% | — | — |
| 13 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 60% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 83% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 75% | — | — |
| 16 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 10 | 86% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 68% | — | — |
| 18 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 9 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 19 | Macalester College Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 87% | $21,441 | — |
| 20 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 8 | 87% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 22 | Princeton University Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 23 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 24 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 6 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 25 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 81% | — | $55,691 |
| 26 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 27 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 91% | — | — |
| 28 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 60% | — | — |
| 29 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 30 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 49% | — | — |
| 31 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 85% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 75% | — | — |
| 33 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 84% | — | — |
| 34 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 57% | — | — |
| 35 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 64% | — | — |
| 36 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 5 | 80% | — | — |
| 37 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 53% | — | — |
| 38 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 39 | Converse University Spartanburg, SCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 62% | $19,465 | — |
| 40 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 5 | 91% | $20,918 | — |
| 41 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 42 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 48% | — | — |
| 43 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 4 | 86% | — | — |
| 44 | Smith College Northampton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 89% | $17,183 | — |
| 45 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster's | 4 | 55% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicDoctoralBachelor's | 4 | 75% | — | — |
| 47 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 75% | $27,621 | — |
| 48 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 4 | 72% | — | — |
| 49 | Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 82% | $19,073 | — |
| 50 | Dickinson College Carlisle, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 80% | $22,831 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Germanic Languages field (CIP 16.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 44 states
Where German Language and Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Germanic Languages programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the German Language and Literature program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, secondary school teachers, or postsecondary foreign language and literature educators. With an annual growth rate of 1.7% and approximately 6,900 annual job openings, the median wage for these roles is $59,440, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0501
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 German 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 Germanic Languages specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Germanic Languages (CIP 16.05).
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0500122 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Norwegian Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0505limited data10 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0502partial data5 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0599limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Dutch/CIP 16.0504
Flemish Language and Literature limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in German Language and Literature.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or teacher in various educational settings.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is stable, with little or no change expected, and about 6,900 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for German Language and Literature?+
German Language and Literature is CIP 16.0501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Germanic Languages (CIP 16.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the German language and related dialects. Includes instruction in philology; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer German Language and Literature programs?+
168 U.S. institutions reported German Language and Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states, awarding 640 credentials in the year. That is 81.7% of all Germanic Languages graduates.
How much do German 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 German 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 Germanic Languages field report median earnings of $55,691 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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