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Polish Language and Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Explore the rich linguistic and literary traditions of Poland through a comprehensive academic journey that examines the historical evolution, regional variations, and cultural significance of the Polish language. This program equips students with advanced proficiency in Polish while deepening their understanding of its role across diverse professional and intellectual domains.

  • Philology: Investigate the historical development, linguistic structure, and textual analysis of Polish, tracing its roots and transformations across centuries.
  • Dialects: Study regional variations of the Polish language, including their phonetic, lexical, and grammatical features across different geographic and cultural zones.
  • Literature: Engage with canonical and contemporary Polish literary works, analyzing narrative techniques, themes, and their socio-historical contexts.
  • Applied Language Use: Examine practical implementations of Polish in business environments, scientific communication, technological documentation, and international collaboration.

Polish Language and Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

6
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
2
Universities & Colleges
2
Career Pathways

Polish Language and Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Polish Language and Literature degrees, including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 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 74,530 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
Interpreters and Translators 27-3091 $59,440 $35,630 - $99,830 53,360 $28.58

Polish Language and Literature Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,060 in Louisiana to $89,920 in California—a 100% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 74,530 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 Polish Language and Literature by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 2 institutions offering Polish 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 Polish Language and Literature is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (4 graduates), and University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 6 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
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor's
4 Madison, Wisconsin Public wisc.edu
University of Michigan (U‑M)
Bachelor's
2 Ann Arbor, Michigan Public umich.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Polish Language and Literature programs

How much can I earn with a Polish Language and Literature degree?

Salaries for Polish Language and Literature graduates vary by role and location. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,010 annually, while Interpreters and Translators earn around $59,440. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $89,920 compared to $45,060 in Louisiana. Approximately 74,530 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 Polish Language and Literature programs?

Currently 2 accredited institutions offer Polish Language and Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (4 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (2 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 Polish Language and Literature growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 4 in 2010 to 6 in 2023-24. This represents a 50% 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 Polish Language and Literature degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Interpreters and Translators, . Related occupations employ approximately 74,530 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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