Best colleges for South Asian Languages
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 2 U.S. colleges offering South Asian Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 2 states.
About South Asian Languages programs
The South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics program offers students an in-depth understanding of the languages and literary traditions of South Asia. This program is ideal for those interested in exploring the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the region, including languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, and Sanskrit.
Students in this program will develop essential skills in speaking, reading comprehension, and writing in various South Asian languages. Coursework often includes translation practices, critical thinking, and active learning strategies, equipping students with the tools necessary for effective communication and cultural understanding.
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
Specializations within South Asian Languages
2 of the 8 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.07 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- South Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0799limited data14 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- South Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0700limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 8 codes (6 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Hindi Language and Literature16.0701
- Sanskrit and Classical Indian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics16.0702
- Bengali Language and Literature16.0704
- Punjabi Language and Literature16.0705
- Tamil Language and Literature16.0706
- Urdu Language and Literature16.0707
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 2 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Californialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the South Asian Languages program can pursue various careers, particularly in translation and interpretation. The job outlook shows little to no change, with an estimated 6,900 annual openings and a median wage of $59,440, typically requiring a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for South Asian Languages
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.07.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.07 (South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in South Asian Languages programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Common questions
What languages can I study in this program?+
You can study languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, and Sanskrit.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will gain skills in speaking, reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work in translation, interpretation, education, and various roles requiring language proficiency.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 6,900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for South Asian Languages?+
South Asian Languages maps to CIP 16.07 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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