Best institutions to study South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Any instructional program in South Asian languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 14 South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0799, a specialization of South Asian Languages (CIP 16.07), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
Any instructional program in South Asian languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The South Asian Languages program focuses on the study of languages, literatures, and linguistics specific to South Asia. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of the region, providing a comprehensive understanding of South Asian languages and their contexts. Students in this program will engage with various aspects of South Asian languages, equipping them with the skills necessary for effective communication and cultural exchange. This program is ideal for those looking to pursue careers in translation, education, or related fields, fostering a deep appreciation for South Asian cultures and languages.
Core skills developed in the South Asian Languages program include speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Students will also learn critical thinking and monitoring skills, alongside knowledge of English and foreign languages, which are essential for effective communication and translation.
Credentials awarded
What South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree12 graduates / yr · 1 institution86%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2 graduates / yr · 1 institution14%
Graduates over time
South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 14 |
Top 1 institutions for South Asian Languages, Literatures, and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aria University Milpitas, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | — | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all South Asian Languages programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 14 | Aria University14 / yr |
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 careers as interpreters and translators, with a median wage of $59,440. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 6,900 annual openings. A typical educational requirement for these careers is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0799
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 South Asian Languages, Literatures, and 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 South Asian Languages specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under South Asian Languages (CIP 16.07).
Show 6 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master'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, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an interpreter or translator, or as a foreign language and literature 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 South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?+
South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is CIP 16.0799 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within South Asian Languages (CIP 16.07). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in South Asian languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
How many institutions offer South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 14 credentials in the year. That is 73.7% of all South Asian Languages graduates.
How much do South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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