Best colleges for Linguistic
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Linguistic by graduate earnings are George Mason University ($40,105), Northern Arizona University ($38,177) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($37,389), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- George Mason University (Fairfax, VA): $40,105, 38 graduates a year
- Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ): $38,177, 32 graduates a year
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA): $37,389, 67 graduates a year
- University of Missouri-Columbia (Columbia, MO): $35,409, 47 graduates a year
- Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, TN): $34,856, 20 graduates a year
Compare 407 U.S. colleges offering Linguistic by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Linguistic programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,449 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 16.01 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Linguistic programs
The Linguistic program, formally known as Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, focuses on the scientific study of language. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of language, including syntax, semantics, and phonetics, as well as exploring subdisciplines like biolinguistics and psycholinguistics. Students in this program will engage with various aspects of language, including foreign languages and literatures, applied linguistics, and language interpretation and translation, preparing them for diverse career paths in communication and language services.
In the Linguistic program, students will develop core skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework often includes the study of English and foreign languages, terminology compilation for translations, and ethical practices in language services, equipping students with essential knowledge for effective communication.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,105 | 38 | 68% | — | $21,850 |
| 2 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,177 | 32 | 61% | — | $20,500 |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,389 | 67 | 86% | — | $22,500 |
| 4 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,409 | 47 | 75% | — | $19,286 |
| 5 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,856 | 20 | 54% | — | $21,187 |
| 6 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,279 | 86 | 81% | $13,712 | $11,621 |
| 7 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,099 | 44 | 85% | — | $19,250 |
| 8 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,756 | 27 | 63% | — | $18,500 |
| 9 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,521 | 20 | 37% | — | $24,315 |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,185 | 48 | 89% | — | $21,892 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,993 | 76 | 76% | — | $23,156 |
| 12 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,713 | 28 | 74% | — | $20,612 |
| 13 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,895 | 64 | 54% | — | $16,833 |
| 14 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,524 | 183 | 93% | — | $15,000 |
| 15 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,251 | 41 | 65% | — | $21,715 |
| 16 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,205 | 94 | 91% | — | $19,912 |
| 17 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,830 | 26 | 58% | — | $21,500 |
| 18 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,803 | 40 | 32% | — | $31,023 |
| 19 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,658 | 56 | 77% | — | $16,500 |
| 20 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,278 | 51 | 95% | $22,242 | $17,500 |
| 21 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,788 | 48 | 88% | — | $20,096 |
| 22 | New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,720 | 43 | 55% | — | $19,125 |
| 23 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,699 | 48 | 93% | — | $15,124 |
| 24 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,629 | 51 | 83% | — | $14,100 |
| 25 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,449 | 22 | 71% | — | $26,530 |
Top 4 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $52,493 | 36 | 75% | $30,225 | $24,250 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate | $36,557 | 79 | 85% | — | $25,154 |
| 3 | Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC Public · Certificate | $26,246 | 40 | 45% | — | — |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Certificate Small program | $25,630 | 13 | 69% | — | $19,500 |
Specializations within Linguistic
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- LinguisticsCIP 16.01022,488 graduates / yr161 institutions45 states
- Foreign Languages and LiteraturesCIP 16.01011,917 graduates / yr198 institutions44 states
- Language Interpretation and TranslationCIP 16.0103871 graduates / yr77 institutions28 states
- Comparative LiteratureCIP 16.0104845 graduates / yr74 institutions28 states
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesCIP 16.0199296 graduates / yr24 institutions15 states
- Applied LinguisticsCIP 16.0105174 graduates / yr25 institutions20 states
Offered across 50 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Linguistic program can pursue careers in language interpretation, translation, and education, among others. The job outlook for related positions shows a growth rate of 1.7%, with approximately 6,900 annual openings. The median wage for these roles is around $59,440, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Linguistic
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.01 (Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 25-1123 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Linguistic programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Linguistic program?+
The program focuses on the scientific study of language, including syntax, semantics, and phonetics.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Graduates can expect a growth rate of 1.7% in related careers, with about 6,900 annual job openings.
What is the typical education requirement for careers in this field?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers related to linguistics.
How much do Linguistic graduates earn?+
Linguistic graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,449, College Scorecard (2019); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Linguistic?+
Linguistic maps to CIP 16.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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