Best institutions to study Applied Linguistics
A program that focuses on language-related concerns in the everyday world, including language education, acquisition of first and additional languages, discourse analysis, language assessment, literacy, and language policy and planning.
25 U.S. institutions graduated 174 Applied Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0105, a specialization of Linguistic (CIP 16.01), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Applied Linguistics programs
A program that focuses on language-related concerns in the everyday world, including language education, acquisition of first and additional languages, discourse analysis, language assessment, literacy, and language policy and planning. Includes instruction in linguistic theory; language teaching and learning; discourse analysis; language and cognition; and language, culture, and identity.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Applied Linguistics program focuses on language-related concerns in everyday life, encompassing areas such as language education, acquisition, discourse analysis, and language policy. It is designed for individuals interested in understanding the role of language in society and its impact on communication, culture, and identity.
Students in this program will gain core skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes linguistic theory, language teaching methodologies, and the relationship between language and cognition.
Credentials awarded
What Applied Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree81 graduates / yr · 8 institutions47%
- Bachelor's degree40 graduates / yr · 9 institutions23%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year12 graduates / yr · 3 institutions6.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate11 graduates / yr · 3 institutions6.3%
- Post-master's certificate11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship9 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions5.2%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Applied Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 25 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 53 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 94 |
| 2018 | 127 |
| 2019 | 114 |
| 2020 | 163 |
| 2021 | 196 |
| 2022 | 196 |
| 2023 | 184 |
| 2024 | 195 |
| 2025 | 174 |
Top 25 institutions for Applied 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 49% | — | — |
| 2 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 21 | 43% | — | — |
| 3 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 20 | 65% | — | — |
| 4 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 75% | — | $21,793 |
| 5 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 10 | 55% | — | $27,720 |
| 6 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicMaster's | 10 | 72% | — | $23,615 |
| 7 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 68% | — | — |
| 8 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicMaster's | 8 | 65% | — | $32,684 |
| 9 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 36% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 69% | — | — |
| 11 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 6 | 51% | — | $27,284 |
| 12 | St Charles Community College Cottleville, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 25% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 5 | 85% | — | $25,921 |
| 14 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 24% | — | — |
| 15 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 16 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 30% | — | — |
| 17 | Johnson University Knoxville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 3 | 57% | $19,333 | — |
| 18 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 58% | — | $29,830 |
| 19 | Plymouth State University Plymouth, NHPublicMaster's | 2 | 52% | — | — |
| 20 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 51% | $25,162 | — |
| 21 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicBachelor's | 1 | 57% | — | — |
| 22 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 44% | — | — |
| 23 | Truman State University Kirksville, MOPublicBachelor's | 1 | 69% | — | — |
| 24 | Kean University Union, NJPublicMaster's | 1 | 47% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoral | 1 | 90% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Linguistic field (CIP 16.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where Applied Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Linguistic programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 1 | 28 | University of Massachusetts - Boston28 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 23 | East Texas A&M University21 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 20 | Ohio University - Main Campus20 / yr |
| Kansas | 2 | 12 | University of Kansas6 / yr |
| California | 1 | 12 | University of California - Santa Cruz12 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 10 | Community College of Allegheny County5 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 10 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus10 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 10 | University of Oregon10 / yr |
| Missouri | 3 | 9 | St Charles Community College6 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 9 | University of Arizona9 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 8 | West Virginia University8 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 6 | Purdue University Fort Wayne6 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 5 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign5 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 3 | University of Alaska Anchorage3 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 3 | Johnson University3 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 2 | Plymouth State University2 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 1 | University of Idaho1 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 1 | Metropolitan State University1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | Kean University1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | University of Wisconsin - Madison1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Applied Linguistics program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, with a median wage of $59,440. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 6,900 annual openings, and a typical education requirement of a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0105
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 Applied 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 Linguistic specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Linguistic (CIP 16.01).
- LinguisticsCIP 16.01022,488 graduates / yr161 institutions
- Foreign Languages and LiteraturesCIP 16.01011,917 graduates / yr198 institutions
- Language Interpretation and TranslationCIP 16.0103871 graduates / yr77 institutions
- Comparative LiteratureCIP 16.0104845 graduates / yr74 institutions
- Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesCIP 16.0199296 graduates / yr24 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Applied Linguistics?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or a foreign language and literature teacher.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Applied Linguistics?+
Applied Linguistics is CIP 16.0105 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Linguistic (CIP 16.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on language-related concerns in the everyday world, including language education, acquisition of first and additional languages, discourse analysis, language assessment, literacy, and language policy and planning. Includes instruction in linguistic theory; language teaching and learning; discourse analysis; language and cognition; and language, culture, and identity.
How many institutions offer Applied Linguistics programs?+
25 U.S. institutions reported Applied Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 174 credentials in the year. That is 2.6% of all Linguistic graduates.
How much do Applied Linguistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which Applied Linguistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Linguistic field report median earnings of $27,284 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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