Russian Language and Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program engage in a comprehensive exploration of the Russian language and its literary traditions, combining linguistic precision with deep cultural and historical analysis. The curriculum is designed to develop advanced proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while fostering critical understanding of Russian-speaking societies and their global influence.
- Philology: The study of language in written historical sources, emphasizing the evolution of Russian grammar, vocabulary, and textual interpretation across centuries.
- Dialects: Examination of regional variations in spoken Russian, including their sociolinguistic origins, geographic distribution, and role in cultural identity.
- Literature: In-depth analysis of major Russian literary works from the 19th century to the present, covering narrative techniques, thematic development, and historical context.
- Applied Language Skills: Training in using Russian in professional contexts such as international business, scientific research, diplomacy, and technology, with an emphasis on real-world communication and translation.
Russian Language and Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Russian Language and Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Russian 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 |
Russian 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 Russian Language and Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 80 institutions offering Russian 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 Russian Language and Literature is found at Los Angeles City College (LACC) (23 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU) (18 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (13 graduates), University of Arizona (8 graduates), and University of California (UCD), Davis (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 315 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) |
Other Award
|
23 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Vassar College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | vassar.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
8 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Dickinson College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | Private | dickinson.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Middlebury College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Middlebury, Vermont | Private | middlebury.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Amherst College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | amherst.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Grinnell College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Grinnell, Iowa | Private | grinnell.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| De Anza College |
Other Award
|
4 | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| College of the Holy Cross |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | holycross.edu |
| Williams College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Bryn Mawr College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | Private | brynmawr.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| The University of the South |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Sewanee, Tennessee | Private | sewanee.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| Connecticut College (Conn) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New London, Connecticut | Private | conncoll.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Bowdoin College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Brunswick, Maine | Private | bowdoin.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Carleton College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | carleton.edu |
| Macalester College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | macalester.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Kenyon College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Gambier, Ohio | Private | kenyon.edu |
| Bucknell University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania | Private | bucknell.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Grossmont College |
Other Award
|
1 | El Cajon, California | Public | grossmont.edu |
| San Diego Mesa College |
Associate's
|
1 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmesa.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Norton, Massachusetts | Private | wheatoncollege.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
1 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Reed College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Portland, Oregon | Private | reed.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Beloit College (Beloit) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Beloit, Wisconsin | Private | beloit.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Russian Language and Literature programs
How much can I earn with a Russian Language and Literature degree?
Salaries for Russian 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 Russian Language and Literature programs?
Currently 80 accredited institutions offer Russian Language and Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Los Angeles City College (LACC) (23 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU) (18 graduates), and Ohio State University, Main Campus (13 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 Russian Language and Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 545 in 2010 to a peak of 460 in 2020, before declining slightly to 315 in 2023-24. This represents a 42% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Russian 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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