Best institutions to study Italian Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Italian language and related dialects.
72 U.S. institutions graduated 197 Italian Language and Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0902, a specialization of Romance Languages (CIP 16.09), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Italian Language and Literature programs
A program that focuses on the Italian language and related dialects. Includes instruction in philology; dialects; and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Italian Language and Literature program, part of the Romance Languages field, focuses on the Italian language and its dialects. This program is designed for students interested in exploring Italian culture, literature, and linguistics, with applications in various fields, including business and technology. It prepares graduates to engage with the language in both academic and practical settings.
Students in this program develop core skills in speaking, writing, and critical thinking, along with a deep understanding of the Italian language and its cultural context. Coursework may include philology, dialect studies, and practical applications of the language in diverse settings.
Credentials awarded
What Italian Language and Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree94 graduates / yr · 56 institutions48%
- Associate's degree29 graduates / yr · 9 institutions15%
- Master's degree29 graduates / yr · 10 institutions15%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship21 graduates / yr · 11 institutions11%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 8 institutions8.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years8 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.1%
Graduates over time
Italian Language and Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 460 |
| 2013 | 419 |
| 2014 | 411 |
| 2015 | 343 |
| 2016 | 299 |
| 2017 | 302 |
| 2018 | 248 |
| 2019 | 294 |
| 2020 | 285 |
| 2021 | 247 |
| 2022 | 245 |
| 2023 | 204 |
| 2024 | 233 |
| 2025 | 197 |
Top 50 institutions for Italian 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 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAssociate's | 11 | 48% | — | — |
| 2 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 3 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 9 | 91% | $20,918 | — |
| 4 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 75% | — | $30,504 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 7 | 68% | — | $42,436 |
| 6 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 7 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 6 | 68% | — | $34,484 |
| 8 | De Anza College Cupertino, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 68% | — | — |
| 9 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 96% | $15,315 | $54,327 |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 85% | — | $29,617 |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 90% | — | $35,720 |
| 12 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 35% | — | — |
| 13 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 80% | — | $33,307 |
| 14 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 41% | — | — |
| 15 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 35% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 4 | 95% | $19,452 | $46,030 |
| 17 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 4 | 93% | — | $22,803 |
| 18 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoralBachelor's | 4 | 84% | — | $31,335 |
| 19 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 82% | — | $32,718 |
| 20 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 40% | — | — |
| 21 | DePauw University Greencastle, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 75% | $20,874 | $43,049 |
| 22 | College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 87% | $24,533 | $52,210 |
| 23 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 83% | — | — |
| 24 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 86% | — | $45,050 |
| 25 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 73% | — | $59,220 |
| 26 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 2 | 93% | — | $40,818 |
| 27 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 86% | — | $29,330 |
| 28 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 2 | 93% | — | $26,966 |
| 29 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 38% | — | — |
| 30 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 2 | 86% | — | $28,603 |
| 31 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 2 | 85% | — | $38,942 |
| 32 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 33 | Salem State University Salem, MAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 50% | — | — |
| 34 | Drew University Madison, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 70% | $23,094 | $27,823 |
| 35 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 67% | — | $33,081 |
| 36 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 95% | $17,613 | $33,419 |
| 37 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 57% | — | $30,534 |
| 38 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 2 | 88% | — | $27,815 |
| 39 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 75% | — | $31,624 |
| 40 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate's | 2 | 20% | — | $30,111 |
| 41 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 86% | $25,823 | — |
| 42 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 37% | — | — |
| 43 | Pepperdine University Malibu, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 83% | $41,986 | — |
| 44 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 48% | — | — |
| 45 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 50% | — | $25,242 |
| 46 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 47 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 48 | West Valley College Saratoga, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 51% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor's | 1 | 74% | — | — |
| 50 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicBachelor's | 1 | 48% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Romance Languages field (CIP 16.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 25 states
Where Italian Language and Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Romance Languages programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Italian Language and Literature 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 for related positions, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0902
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 Italian 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 Romance Languages specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Romance Languages (CIP 16.09).
- Spanish Language and LiteratureCIP 16.09056,320 graduates / yr761 institutions
- French Language and LiteratureCIP 16.09011,322 graduates / yr324 institutions
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0908625 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0900129 graduates / yr30 institutions
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.099996 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Portuguese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.090463 graduates / yr15 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Romanian Language and Literature16.0906
- Catalan Language and Literature16.0907
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Associate's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Italian Language and Literature.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or a foreign language teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Italian Language and Literature?+
Italian Language and Literature is CIP 16.0902 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Romance Languages (CIP 16.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the Italian language and related dialects. Includes instruction in philology; dialects; and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer Italian Language and Literature programs?+
72 U.S. institutions reported Italian Language and Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 25 states, awarding 197 credentials in the year. That is 2.3% of all Romance Languages graduates.
How much do Italian 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 Italian 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 Romance Languages field report median earnings of $33,307 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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