Best institutions to study Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 5 Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0502, a specialization of Germanic Languages (CIP 16.05), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
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. Programs may involve multiple languages and language families, not be specific as to the name of the language(s) studied, or be otherwise undifferentiated.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Scandinavian Languages program, part of the broader Germanic Languages field, focuses on the languages, literatures, and linguistics of Scandinavia and associated Northern European island groups. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring multiple languages and cultures within this region, fostering a deep understanding of its linguistic diversity. With a small number of graduates each year, this program offers an intimate learning environment at select colleges across the U.S. Students can expect to engage with the rich literary traditions and linguistic structures of Scandinavian languages, preparing them for various career paths in language and education.
Students in the Scandinavian Languages program develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework often includes critical thinking and learning strategies, providing a comprehensive understanding of both the English language and foreign languages, along with insights into customer service and public safety.
Credentials awarded
What Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution40%
- Master's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution40%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution20%
Graduates over time
Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Top 3 institutions for Scandinavian 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 | Luther College Decorah, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 71% | $22,827 |
| 2 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 2 | 85% | — |
| 3 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 93% | — |
Offered in 3 states
Where Scandinavian 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 1 | 2 | Luther College2 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 2 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus2 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | University of California - Berkeley1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Scandinavian Languages program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, with additional opportunities in education as foreign language and literature teachers. The job outlook for language-related occupations shows little to no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions and a median wage of $59,440, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0502
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 |
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 Scandinavian 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
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0500122 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Norwegian Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0505limited data10 graduates / yr2 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, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Scandinavian Languages.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, listening, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or a foreign language teacher.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little change, with about 6,900 annual openings and a median wage of $59,440.
What is the CIP code for Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?+
Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is CIP 16.0502 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 one or more of the languages, literatures, and linguistics of the peoples of Scandinavia and associated Northern European island groups. Programs may involve multiple languages and language families, not be specific as to the name of the language(s) studied, or be otherwise undifferentiated.
How many institutions offer Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 5 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Germanic Languages graduates.
How much do Scandinavian 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 Scandinavian 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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