Best institutions to study Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
A general program that focuses on one or more of the Germanic languages of Western, Central, and Northern Europe.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 122 Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0500, a specialization of Germanic Languages (CIP 16.05), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
A general program that focuses on one or more of the Germanic languages of Western, Central, and Northern Europe. Includes instruction in philology; linguistics; dialects and pidgins; literature; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Germanic Languages program focuses on the study of one or more Germanic languages from Western, Central, and Northern Europe. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of these languages, providing a comprehensive understanding of their applications in various fields such as business and science.
Learn more about Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics →
Students in this program will develop essential skills in speaking, writing, and critical thinking while gaining knowledge in linguistics, philology, and dialects. Coursework often includes literature analysis and practical applications of language in different contexts.
Credentials awarded
What Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year61 graduates / yr · 2 institutions50%
- Bachelor's degree30 graduates / yr · 12 institutions25%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship19 graduates / yr · 6 institutions16%
- Master's degree12 graduates / yr · 5 institutions9.8%
Graduates over time
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 143 |
| 2013 | 136 |
| 2014 | 126 |
| 2015 | 131 |
| 2016 | 98 |
| 2017 | 141 |
| 2018 | 174 |
| 2019 | 155 |
| 2020 | 121 |
| 2021 | 145 |
| 2022 | 90 |
| 2023 | 125 |
| 2024 | 112 |
| 2025 | 122 |
Top 15 institutions for Germanic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralBachelor's | 66 | 90% | — |
| 2 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 80% | — |
| 3 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 96% | $27,025 |
| 4 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor's | 7 | 57% | — |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 89% | — |
| 6 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 4 | 94% | $14,126 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 64% | — |
| 8 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 83% | — |
| 9 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 3 | 74% | — |
| 10 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor's | 3 | 75% | — |
| 11 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 3 | 85% | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 49% | — |
| 13 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 81% | $13,712 |
| 14 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor's | 1 | 65% | — |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 48% | — |
Offered in 12 states
Where Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Germanic Languages programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 4 | 73 | University of Wisconsin - Madison66 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 9 | Indiana University - Bloomington9 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 8 | Yale University8 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 7 | Montana State University7 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 7 | The University of Texas at Austin7 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 4 | Washington University in St Louis4 / yr |
| California | 1 | 3 | University of California - Santa Barbara3 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 3 | University of Colorado Boulder3 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 3 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus3 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 3 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus3 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | Brigham Young University1 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | West Virginia University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Germanic Languages program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, with an annual job outlook of 6,900 openings and a median wage of $59,440. Most positions typically require at least a bachelor's degree, and the field is expected to see little or no change in growth at 1.7%.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0500
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 Germanic 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
Other Germanic Languages specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Germanic Languages (CIP 16.05).
- German Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0501640 graduates / yr168 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 an award of at least 12 weeks, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or a foreign language teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of 6,900 positions.
What is the CIP code for Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?+
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is CIP 16.0500 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Germanic Languages (CIP 16.05). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on one or more of the Germanic languages of Western, Central, and Northern Europe. Includes instruction in philology; linguistics; dialects and pidgins; literature; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states, awarding 122 credentials in the year. That is 15.6% of all Germanic Languages graduates.
How much do Germanic 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 Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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