Best institutions to study Spanish Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Spanish language and related dialects.
761 U.S. institutions graduated 6,320 Spanish Language and Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0905, a specialization of Romance Languages (CIP 16.09), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About Spanish Language and Literature programs
A program that focuses on the Spanish language and related dialects. Includes instruction in philology; Modern Castillan; Latin American and regional Spanish dialects; and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Spanish Language and Literature program, part of the Romance Languages field, focuses on the Spanish language and its various dialects. It encompasses instruction in philology, Modern Castilian, and Latin American regional dialects, making it ideal for students interested in deepening their understanding of Spanish and its cultural contexts. This program is suitable for those pursuing careers in education, translation, or international business.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Coursework often includes critical thinking and learning strategies, along with a strong foundation in both the Spanish language and relevant cultural knowledge.
Credentials awarded
What Spanish Language and Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,613 graduates / yr · 597 institutions57%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year874 graduates / yr · 92 institutions14%
- Associate's degree814 graduates / yr · 113 institutions13%
- Master's degree558 graduates / yr · 106 institutions8.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks174 graduates / yr · 9 institutions2.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship145 graduates / yr · 38 institutions2.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate57 graduates / yr · 16 institutions0.9%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years44 graduates / yr · 9 institutions0.7%
- Post-master's certificate23 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
Graduates over time
Spanish Language and Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 10,481 |
| 2013 | 10,148 |
| 2014 | 9,772 |
| 2015 | 9,318 |
| 2016 | 8,787 |
| 2017 | 8,486 |
| 2018 | 8,345 |
| 2019 | 8,087 |
| 2020 | 8,391 |
| 2021 | 7,878 |
| 2022 | 7,205 |
| 2023 | 6,788 |
| 2024 | 6,465 |
| 2025 | 6,320 |
Top 50 institutions for Spanish 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 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 148 | 60% | — | $36,637 |
| 2 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 125 | 45% | — | — |
| 3 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 115 | 46% | — | $27,989 |
| 4 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sMaster'sBachelor's | 101 | 39% | — | $38,054 |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster's | 100 | 90% | — | $35,720 |
| 6 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 84 | 68% | — | $34,484 |
| 7 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 59 | 21% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 59 | 90% | — | $33,169 |
| 9 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 57 | 93% | — | $22,803 |
| 10 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 57 | 0% | — | $42,436 |
| 11 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, NDPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 56 | 47% | — | — |
| 12 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 52 | 57% | — | $20,070 |
| 13 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 47 | 86% | — | $29,330 |
| 14 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 69% | — | $35,208 |
| 15 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 35% | — | — |
| 16 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sBachelor's | 45 | 80% | $35,682 | $34,649 |
| 17 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CAPublicAssociate's | 43 | 35% | — | — |
| 18 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 42 | 67% | — | $33,081 |
| 19 | The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 40% | — | — |
| 20 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 76% | — | $28,182 |
| 21 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor's | 41 | 61% | — | $35,591 |
| 22 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 40 | 57% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 75% | — | $28,746 |
| 24 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 39 | 60% | — | — |
| 25 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 86% | — | $45,050 |
| 26 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 96% | — | $38,269 |
| 27 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 37 | 81% | $13,712 | $40,002 |
| 28 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 70% | — | — |
| 29 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate's | 35 | 20% | — | $30,111 |
| 30 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 34 | 55% | — | $29,329 |
| 31 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 33 | 68% | — | $42,436 |
| 32 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 32 | 56% | — | $34,117 |
| 33 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 56% | — | — |
| 34 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 32 | 74% | — | — |
| 35 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 32 | 91% | $20,918 | — |
| 36 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 31 | 55% | — | $18,490 |
| 37 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 85% | — | $31,622 |
| 38 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 85% | — | $38,942 |
| 39 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 30 | 80% | — | $33,307 |
| 40 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 30 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 41 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 30 | 55% | — | $35,781 |
| 42 | Saint Norbert College De Pere, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 30 | 71% | $23,319 | — |
| 43 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 69% | — | $21,609 |
| 44 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 76% | — | $43,821 |
| 45 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 28 | 70% | — | $34,510 |
| 46 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 72% | — | $29,765 |
| 47 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 27 | 26% | — | — |
| 48 | California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CAPublicBachelor's | 27 | 53% | — | — |
| 49 | Lake Tahoe Community College South Lake Tahoe, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 27 | 45% | — | — |
| 50 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of less than 12 weeks | 27 | 76% | $36,137 | — |
* 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 51 states & territories
Where Spanish 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 Spanish Language and Literature program can pursue careers as interpreters and translators, secondary school teachers, or postsecondary foreign language instructors. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions and a median wage of $59,440, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0905
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 Spanish 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).
- French Language and LiteratureCIP 16.09011,322 graduates / yr324 institutions
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0908625 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Italian Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0902197 graduates / yr72 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 degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or a shorter award of at least 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an interpreter, translator, or language teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Spanish Language and Literature?+
Spanish Language and Literature is CIP 16.0905 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 Spanish language and related dialects. Includes instruction in philology; Modern Castillan; Latin American and regional Spanish dialects; and applications in business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer Spanish Language and Literature programs?+
761 U.S. institutions reported Spanish Language and Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 6,320 credentials in the year. That is 72.2% of all Romance Languages graduates.
How much do Spanish 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 Spanish 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 $34,572 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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