German Language and Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
German Language and Literature is an advanced academic discipline centered on the study of the German language, its historical evolution, regional variations, and literary traditions. This program equips students with deep linguistic proficiency, cultural insight, and analytical skills essential for engaging with German-speaking societies across academic, professional, and creative domains.
- Philology: The scholarly study of language in written historical sources, focusing on the development, structure, and evolution of the German language across centuries.
- Dialects: In-depth exploration of regional and local variations of German, including their phonetic, grammatical, and lexical characteristics within specific geographic and cultural contexts.
- Literary Analysis: Critical examination of German literature from the Middle Ages to contemporary works, emphasizing themes, narrative techniques, and cultural significance.
- Language Applications in Business: Training in professional communication, translation, and intercultural negotiation skills tailored for international commerce and corporate environments.
- Language in Science and Technology: Development of technical language competencies for reading, writing, and presenting research in STEM fields within German-speaking academic and industrial sectors.
German Language and Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
German Language and Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with German 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 |
German 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 German Language and Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering German 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 German Language and Literature is found at The University of Texas, Austin (33 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (29 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (25 graduates), Boise State University (BBU) (22 graduates), and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte (19 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 735 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
33 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
|
22 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Drexel University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
19 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Other Award
|
11 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Kalamazoo College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Private | kzoo.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| William & Mary (W&M) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Williamsburg, Virginia | Public | wm.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Hope College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Holland, Michigan | Private | hope.edu |
| Macalester College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | macalester.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Master's
|
7 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Middlebury College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Middlebury, Vermont | Private | middlebury.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Wabash College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Crawfordsville, Indiana | Private | wabash.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Gettysburg College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | Private | gettysburg.edu |
| Furman University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | furman.edu |
| The University of the South |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Sewanee, Tennessee | Private | sewanee.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Grossmont College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | El Cajon, California | Public | grossmont.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Luther College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Decorah, Iowa | Private | luther.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Amherst College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | amherst.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Lafayette College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Easton, Pennsylvania | Private | lafayette.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Rhodes College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | rhodes.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Washington and Lee University (W&L) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lexington, Virginia | Private | wlu.edu |
| University of Puget Sound (UPS) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | pugetsound.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| De Anza College |
Other Award
|
4 | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Colorado College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradocollege.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
4 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Bowdoin College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Brunswick, Maine | Private | bowdoin.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Williams College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Guilford College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | guilford.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Trinity College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hartford, Connecticut | Private | trincoll.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Knox College (Knox) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Galesburg, Illinois | Private | knox.edu |
| Valparaiso University (Valpo) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Valparaiso, Indiana | Private | valpo.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about German Language and Literature programs
How much can I earn with a German Language and Literature degree?
Salaries for German 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 German Language and Literature programs?
Currently 201 accredited institutions offer German Language and Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of Texas, Austin (33 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (29 graduates), and University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (25 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 German Language and Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,733 in 2010 to a peak of 1,244 in 2020, before declining slightly to 907 in 2023-24. This represents a 48% 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 German 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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