Best institutions to study Linguistics
A program that focuses on language, language development, and relationships among languages and language groups from a humanistic and/or scientific perspective.
161 U.S. institutions graduated 2,488 Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0102, a specialization of Linguistic (CIP 16.01), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Linguistics programs
A program that focuses on language, language development, and relationships among languages and language groups from a humanistic and/or scientific perspective. Includes instruction in subjects such as psycholinguistics, behavioral linguistics, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, mathematical and computational linguistics, grammatical theory and theoretical linguistics, philosophical linguistics, philology and historical linguistics, comparative linguistics, phonetics, phonemics, dialectology, semantics, functional grammar and linguistics, language typology, lexicography, morphology and syntax, orthography, stylistics, structuralism, rhetoric, and applications to artificial intelligence.
See also: 16.1602 - Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages., 30.4801 - Linguistics and Computer Science., 30.4701 - Linguistics and Anthropology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Linguistics program focuses on the study of language, its development, and the relationships among various languages and language groups. This program is designed for students interested in exploring language from both humanistic and scientific perspectives, making it ideal for those passionate about communication, culture, and cognitive processes behind language use.
Students in the Linguistics program will gain core skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework typically covers topics such as psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, phonetics, and grammatical theory, providing a comprehensive understanding of language structure and function.
Credentials awarded
What Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,673 graduates / yr · 131 institutions67%
- Master's degree448 graduates / yr · 78 institutions18%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship211 graduates / yr · 52 institutions8.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year98 graduates / yr · 9 institutions3.9%
- Associate's degree37 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
Graduates over time
Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,991 |
| 2013 | 3,021 |
| 2014 | 3,076 |
| 2015 | 3,141 |
| 2016 | 3,120 |
| 2017 | 2,940 |
| 2018 | 2,966 |
| 2019 | 2,976 |
| 2020 | 2,792 |
| 2021 | 2,907 |
| 2022 | 2,748 |
| 2023 | 2,634 |
| 2024 | 2,537 |
| 2025 | 2,488 |
Top 50 institutions for 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 Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 79 | 85% | — | $36,557 |
| 2 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 62 | 93% | — | $25,059 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 60 | 91% | — | $30,205 |
| 4 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 60 | 84% | — | $16,796 |
| 5 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 58 | 81% | $13,712 | $34,279 |
| 6 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 56 | 86% | — | $22,965 |
| 7 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 53 | 65% | — | $23,754 |
| 8 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 52 | 75% | — | $21,793 |
| 9 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 52 | 85% | — | — |
| 10 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 51 | 69% | — | $18,393 |
| 11 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 49 | 95% | $22,242 | $28,278 |
| 12 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 48 | 76% | — | $24,407 |
| 13 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 43 | 89% | — | $32,185 |
| 14 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 40 | 93% | — | $30,524 |
| 15 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster's | 40 | 88% | — | $27,788 |
| 16 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 83% | — | $20,334 |
| 17 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 74% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 33 | 93% | — | $27,699 |
| 19 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 32 | 68% | — | — |
| 20 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 31 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 21 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 31 | 65% | — | $24,232 |
| 22 | Benedictine University Lisle, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 50% | $23,570 | — |
| 23 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 27 | 85% | — | $25,921 |
| 24 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 27 | 82% | — | $26,353 |
| 25 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 27 | 61% | — | $20,522 |
| 26 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert.DoctoralMaster's | 27 | 54% | — | $30,895 |
| 27 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor's | 24 | 53% | — | $16,568 |
| 28 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 24 | — | — | — |
| 29 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 24 | 72% | — | $23,615 |
| 30 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 50% | — | $26,475 |
| 31 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 23 | 75% | — | $26,703 |
| 32 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor's | 23 | 53% | — | — |
| 33 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 22 | 76% | — | $20,212 |
| 34 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 22 | 76% | — | $22,001 |
| 35 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 36 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 37 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 57% | — | $21,501 |
| 38 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 21 | 81% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 64% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 69% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 21 | 89% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 90% | — | — |
| 43 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 70% | — | $22,723 |
| 44 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 90% | — | $17,864 |
| 45 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 80% | — | — |
| 46 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 91% | — | $24,658 |
| 47 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoral | 20 | 65% | — | $30,251 |
| 48 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 75% | — | — |
| 49 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 68% | — | — |
| 50 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 18 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
* 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 45 states & territories
Where Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all Linguistic programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the 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. A bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0102
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 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).
- 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
- Applied LinguisticsCIP 16.0105174 graduates / yr25 institutions
Common questions
What degree can I earn in Linguistics?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Linguistics.
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 a Linguistics degree?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or foreign language and literature teacher.
What is the job outlook for Linguistics graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Linguistics?+
Linguistics is CIP 16.0102 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, language development, and relationships among languages and language groups from a humanistic and/or scientific perspective. Includes instruction in subjects such as psycholinguistics, behavioral linguistics, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, mathematical and computational linguistics, grammatical theory and theoretical linguistics, philosophical linguistics, philology and historical linguistics, comparative linguistics, phonetics, phonemics, dialectology, semantics, functional grammar and linguistics, language typology, lexicography, morphology and syntax, orthography, stylistics, structuralism, rhetoric, and applications to artificial intelligence.
How many institutions offer Linguistics programs?+
161 U.S. institutions reported Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 45 states & territories, awarding 2,488 credentials in the year. That is 37.7% of all Linguistic graduates.
How much do Linguistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which 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 $25,921 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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