Ancient Greek Language and Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the rich linguistic and literary heritage of Ancient Greece, tracing its evolution from earliest roots to the twilight of the Byzantine Empire. This rigorous academic program delves into the development of the Greek language and its profound influence across philosophy, religion, politics, and the arts, offering a comprehensive understanding of classical and medieval Greek thought.
- Philology: The systematic study of language in written historical sources, emphasizing textual analysis, linguistic evolution, and the interpretation of ancient manuscripts.
- Attic Greek: The dialect of classical Athens, serving as the foundation of ancient Greek literature and rhetoric, particularly in the works of Plato, Sophocles, and Thucydides.
- Hellenistic Greek: The form of Greek that emerged after the conquests of Alexander the Great, characterized by its spread across the Mediterranean and Near East and its role in early Christian and scientific texts.
- Koine (Biblical) Greek: The common dialect used throughout the Eastern Mediterranean during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, essential for understanding the New Testament and early Christian writings.
- Medieval or Byzantine Greek: The development of Greek language and literature during the Byzantine era, reflecting theological, administrative, and literary traditions of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Ancient Greek Language and Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Ancient Greek Language and Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Ancient Greek 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 |
Ancient Greek 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 Ancient Greek Language and Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 17 institutions offering Ancient Greek 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 Ancient Greek Language and Literature is found at University of Notre Dame (ND) (9 graduates), Liberty University (8 graduates), University of Delaware (UD) (3 graduates), Tufts University (3 graduates), and Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 39 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 Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Randolph-Macon College (RMC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ashland, Virginia | Private | rmc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Wabash College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Crawfordsville, Indiana | Private | wabash.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Oberlin College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oberlin, Ohio | Private | oberlin.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Ancient Greek Language and Literature programs
How much can I earn with a Ancient Greek Language and Literature degree?
Salaries for Ancient Greek 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 Ancient Greek Language and Literature programs?
Currently 17 accredited institutions offer Ancient Greek Language and Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Notre Dame (ND) (9 graduates), Liberty University (8 graduates), and University of Delaware (UD) (3 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 Ancient Greek Language and Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 44 in 2010 to a peak of 50 in 2020, before declining slightly to 39 in 2023-24. This represents a 11% 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 Ancient Greek 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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