Korean Language and Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program engage in a rigorous academic exploration of the Korean language, its historical development, and its practical applications across diverse professional domains. The curriculum is designed to cultivate advanced linguistic proficiency, cultural insight, and analytical expertise essential for effective communication and scholarship in Korean-speaking environments.
- Philology: The study of language in written historical sources, emphasizing the evolution of Korean from its earliest forms to modern usage, including phonological, morphological, and syntactic analysis.
- Dialects: In-depth examination of regional variations in Korean speech, including pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structures across different geographic areas of Korea.
- Business Applications: Training in professional Korean for international commerce, including negotiation techniques, corporate communication, and cross-cultural business etiquette.
- Science and Technology Contexts: Development of specialized language skills for technical documentation, research communication, and collaboration in STEM fields within Korean academic and industrial settings.
- Applied Linguistics: Practical integration of language theory into real-world scenarios, such as translation, interpretation, and language education, preparing students for diverse career paths.
Korean Language and Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Korean Language and Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Korean Language and Literature degrees, including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Interpreters and Translators. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,147,070 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1124 | $77,010 | $47,090 - $134,960 | 21,170 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Interpreters and Translators 27-3091 | $59,440 | $35,630 - $99,830 | 53,360 | $28.58 |
Korean Language and Literature Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,357 in Mississippi to $92,850 in California—a 92% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,147,070 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Korean Language and Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 19 institutions offering Korean Language and Literature programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Korean Language and Literature is found at Los Angeles City College (LACC) (46 graduates), University of Hawaii (UHM), Manoa (23 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (16 graduates), Boise State University (BBU) (10 graduates), and University of Washington (UW), Seattle Campus (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 145 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Residency
Other Award
|
10 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Other Award
|
7 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Other Award
|
4 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Middlebury College |
Master's
|
2 | Middlebury, Vermont | Private | middlebury.edu |
| De Anza College |
Other Award
|
1 | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Korean Language and Literature programs
How much can I earn with a Korean Language and Literature degree?
Salaries for Korean Language and Literature graduates vary by role and location. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,010 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $92,850 compared to $48,357 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,147,070 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Korean Language and Literature programs?
Currently 19 accredited institutions offer Korean Language and Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Los Angeles City College (LACC) (46 graduates), University of Hawaii (UHM), Manoa (23 graduates), and Ohio State University, Main Campus (16 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Korean Language and Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 55 in 2010 to 145 in 2023-24. This represents a 164% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Korean Language and Literature degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Interpreters and Translators. Related occupations employ approximately 1,147,070 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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