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 |
Salary Comparison
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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
33 |
SAT: 1230-1490 ACT: 27-33 |
Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
29 |
SAT: 1030-1270 ACT: 26-31 |
Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
25 |
SAT: 1350-1530 ACT: 31-34 |
Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
|
22 | N/A | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 21-27 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Drexel University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1230-1430 ACT: 27-33 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
17 |
SAT: 1300-1480 ACT: 29-33 |
Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
14 |
SAT: 1210-1420 ACT: 29-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
13 |
SAT: 1220-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1050-1220 ACT: 21-28 |
Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
12 |
SAT: 1150-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
12 |
SAT: 1490-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Other Award
|
11 | N/A | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
10 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
10 |
SAT: 1330-1480 ACT: 29-32 |
Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | N/A | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
9 |
SAT: 1500-1580 ACT: 34-36 |
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | N/A | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1390-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Kalamazoo College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | SAT: 1188-1373 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Private | kzoo.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1090-1330 ACT: 22-28 |
Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1120-1320 ACT: 26-31 |
Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1430-1530 ACT: 33-34 |
Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 1370-1530 ACT: 30-34 |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
8 |
SAT: 1270-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1130-1300 ACT: 24-29 |
Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| William & Mary (W&M) |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1365-1510 ACT: 32-34 |
Williamsburg, Virginia | Public | wm.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1160-1420 ACT: 21-30 |
Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1130-1340 ACT: 26-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Hope College |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1090-1310 ACT: 26-31 |
Holland, Michigan | Private | hope.edu |
| Macalester College |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1350-1510 ACT: 30-33 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | macalester.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
7 |
SAT: 1150-1360 ACT: 24-29 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1190-1340 ACT: 25-31 |
Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Middlebury College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1430-1550 ACT: 33-34 |
Middlebury, Vermont | Private | middlebury.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 23-29 |
Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
6 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Wabash College |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1100-1300 ACT: 24-29 |
Crawfordsville, Indiana | Private | wabash.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 21-28 |
Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1390-1510 ACT: 32-34 |
Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 20-26 |
Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Gettysburg College |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1240-1460 ACT: 27-32 |
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | Private | gettysburg.edu |
| Furman University |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1260-1425 ACT: 28-32 |
Greenville, South Carolina | Private | furman.edu |
| The University of the South |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1236-1398 ACT: 27-32 |
Sewanee, Tennessee | Private | sewanee.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-34 |
Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 27-33 |
Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
6 |
SAT: 1510-1580 ACT: 34-35 |
Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
5 | N/A | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Grossmont College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | N/A | El Cajon, California | Public | grossmont.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
5 |
SAT: 1270-1510 ACT: 29-34 |
Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Wheaton College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1260-1440 ACT: 27-32 |
Wheaton, Illinois | Private | wheaton.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1180-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1130-1320 ACT: 22-28 |
Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Luther College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1098-1318 ACT: 22-29 |
Decorah, Iowa | Private | luther.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1370-1520 ACT: 32-35 |
College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Amherst College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1360-1550 ACT: 31-35 |
Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | amherst.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 20-27 |
Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 26-31 |
Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Lafayette College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1340-1490 ACT: 30-33 |
Easton, Pennsylvania | Private | lafayette.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1160-1350 ACT: 23-30 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Rhodes College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1290-1490 ACT: 28-33 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Private | rhodes.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 980-1230 ACT: 19-27 |
Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1320-1465 ACT: 30-33 |
San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | N/A | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Washington and Lee University (W&L) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-35 |
Lexington, Virginia | Private | wlu.edu |
| University of Puget Sound (UPS) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1185-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tacoma, Washington | Private | pugetsound.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1240-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 | N/A | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| De Anza College |
Other Award
|
4 | N/A | Cupertino, California | Public | deanza.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | N/A | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Colorado College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1365-1520 ACT: 31-34 |
Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradocollege.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1200-1360 ACT: 27-31 |
Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
4 |
SAT: 1040-1280 ACT: 19-26 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1490-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1440-1540 ACT: 33-35 |
Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Bowdoin College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1480-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Brunswick, Maine | Private | bowdoin.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1430-1540 ACT: 33-34 |
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1460-1550 ACT: 33-35 |
Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Williams College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1470-1560 ACT: 33-35 |
Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | SAT: 995-1185 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1260-1470 ACT: 28-32 |
Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | SAT: 1210-1470 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Guilford College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1010-1250 ACT: 18-26 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | guilford.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1210-1390 ACT: 28-31 |
Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1130-1360 ACT: 22-30 |
Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | N/A | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 19-26 |
San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1180-1398 ACT: 22-29 |
Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | ACT: 20-25 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | N/A | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Trinity College |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1310-1460 ACT: 30-33 |
Hartford, Connecticut | Private | trincoll.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Knox College (Knox) |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1120-1385 ACT: 21-30 |
Galesburg, Illinois | Private | knox.edu |
| Valparaiso University (Valpo) |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1080-1310 ACT: 25-30 |
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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