Best colleges for Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
A program that focuses on the languages used in ancient, medieval, and modern Iran and its border regions, including modern Persian, Avestan/Old Persian, and related modern and extinct languages.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 4 Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0801, a specialization of Iranian/Persian Languages (CIP 16.08), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
A program that focuses on the languages used in ancient, medieval, and modern Iran and its border regions, including modern Persian, Avestan/Old Persian, and related modern and extinct languages. Includes instruction in applications of modern Persian and other languages in business, science/technology, and other settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Iranian Languages program, formally known as Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, focuses on the languages of ancient, medieval, and modern Iran, including modern Persian and Avestan/Old Persian. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the linguistic and cultural heritage of Iran and its border regions.
Learn more about Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics →
Students in this program will develop core skills in speaking, reading comprehension, and critical thinking, along with knowledge in foreign languages and customer service. Coursework may include applications of modern Persian in various fields such as business and technology.
Credentials awarded
What Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions75%
- Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution25%
Graduates over time
Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Top 3 institutions for Iranian 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 Maryland-College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor's | 2 | 89% | — |
| 2 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster's | 1 | 68% | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 87% | — |
Offered in 3 states
Where Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Iranian/Persian Languages programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 1 | 2 | University of Maryland-College Park2 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | University of Arizona1 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | United States Military Academy1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Iranian Languages program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, with a median wage of $59,440. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0801
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 Iranian 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
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree in Iranian Languages.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an interpreter or translator, or as a foreign language and literature teacher.
What is the job outlook for interpreters and translators?+
The job outlook is stable, with an expected growth of 1.7% and about 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?+
Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is CIP 16.0801 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Iranian/Persian Languages (CIP 16.08). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the languages used in ancient, medieval, and modern Iran and its border regions, including modern Persian, Avestan/Old Persian, and related modern and extinct languages. Includes instruction in applications of modern Persian and other languages in business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 4 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Iranian/Persian Languages graduates.
How much do Iranian 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 Iranian 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Iranian/Persian Languages graduates, so its figures match the Iranian/Persian Languages program page.
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