Best institutions to study Arabic Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Arabic language.
39 U.S. institutions graduated 198 Arabic Language and Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.1101, a specialization of Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages (CIP 16.11), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Arabic Language and Literature programs
A program that focuses on the Arabic language. Includes instruction in philology; Classical Arabic; Modern Standard Arabic; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Arabic Language and Literature program, part of the Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages field, focuses on the Arabic language through comprehensive instruction. Students engage with various aspects of Arabic, including philology, Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, and regional dialects, preparing them for diverse applications in business, science, and technology. This program is designed for individuals interested in mastering the Arabic language and exploring its rich literary traditions. With 39 colleges offering this program across the U.S., students can gain valuable linguistic skills that open doors to various career opportunities in translation, education, and more.
Students in the Arabic Language and Literature program develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework often includes critical thinking and learning strategies, alongside knowledge of English and foreign languages, customer service, and public safety.
Credentials awarded
What Arabic Language and Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree91 graduates / yr · 26 institutions46%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year44 graduates / yr · 12 institutions22%
- Master's degree27 graduates / yr · 3 institutions14%
- Associate's degree26 graduates / yr · 4 institutions13%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
Graduates over time
Arabic Language and Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 211 |
| 2013 | 216 |
| 2014 | 240 |
| 2015 | 286 |
| 2016 | 295 |
| 2017 | 250 |
| 2018 | 239 |
| 2019 | 237 |
| 2020 | 268 |
| 2021 | 273 |
| 2022 | 295 |
| 2023 | 286 |
| 2024 | 255 |
| 2025 | 198 |
Top 39 institutions for Arabic Language and Literature, 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 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 45 | 52% | — | — |
| 2 | Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 33 | 41% | — | — |
| 3 | Grossmont College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 37% | — | — |
| 4 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 81% | $13,712 | $48,355 |
| 5 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor's | 9 | 89% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 8 | 58% | — | — |
| 7 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MDPublicBachelor's | 7 | 93% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 6 | 68% | — | — |
| 9 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 87% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 4 | 71% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 4 | 72% | — | — |
| 12 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 60% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 95% | $19,452 | — |
| 14 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 3 | 57% | — | — |
| 15 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 85% | — | — |
| 16 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicBachelor's | 3 | 51% | — | — |
| 17 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 3 | 88% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 3 | 85% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 90% | — | — |
| 20 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 48% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 70% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 67% | $16,109 | — |
| 23 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 2 | 93% | — | — |
| 24 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 25 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 91% | $20,918 | — |
| 26 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 27 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 93% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 1 | 83% | — | — |
| 29 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 75% | $30,225 | — |
| 30 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 31 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 90% | — | — |
| 32 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 56% | — | — |
| 33 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 58% | — | — |
| 34 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 35 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 36 | Kenyon College Gambier, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 82% | $20,475 | — |
| 37 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor's | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 38 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate's | 1 | 20% | — | — |
| 39 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages field (CIP 16.11) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states
Where Arabic Language and Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Arabic Language and Literature program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, among other roles. The job outlook for these positions shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 jobs and a median wage of $59,440. A typical educational requirement for these careers is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.1101
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 |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | 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 Arabic Language and Literature 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 Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages (CIP 16.11).
- Middle/CIP 16.1199
Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 73 graduates / yr11 institutions - Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.110365 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Middle/CIP 16.1100
Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics partial data34 graduates / yr6 institutions - Hebrew Language and LiteratureCIP 16.1102partial data20 graduates / yr6 institutions
See all Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active 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, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings in the field.
What is the CIP code for Arabic Language and Literature?+
Arabic Language and Literature is CIP 16.1101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages (CIP 16.11). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the Arabic language. Includes instruction in philology; Classical Arabic; Modern Standard Arabic; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer Arabic Language and Literature programs?+
39 U.S. institutions reported Arabic Language and Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states, awarding 198 credentials in the year. That is 50.8% of all Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates.
How much do Arabic Language and Literature graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which Arabic Language and Literature most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages field report median earnings of $48,355 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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