Latin Language and Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Latin Language and Literature explores the evolution, structure, and cultural significance of Latin from its earliest forms to its continued use in religious and scholarly contexts. This rigorous academic path equips students with advanced linguistic proficiency and critical analytical skills through deep engagement with classical and post-classical Latin texts.
- Philology: The scientific study of language in written historical sources, emphasizing linguistic development, textual analysis, and the evolution of vocabulary and grammar across time.
- Related Italic Dialects: Examination of ancient Italic languages and regional variants that influenced or coexisted with Latin, providing context for its linguistic origins and spread.
- Late Roman and Medieval Latin: Analysis of Latin as it transformed during the later Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, including stylistic shifts, theological adaptations, and usage in scholarly and administrative documents.
- Modern Church Latin: Study of Latin’s continued use in ecclesiastical settings, including liturgical texts, official Vatican communications, and theological discourse in contemporary religious institutions.
Latin Language and Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Latin Language and Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Latin 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 |
Latin 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 Latin Language and Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 31 institutions offering Latin 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 Latin Language and Literature is found at University of Kentucky (UK) (5 graduates), Hillsdale College (5 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (3 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (2 graduates), and Boise State University (BBU) (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 54 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 Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Hillsdale College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Hillsdale, Michigan | Private | hillsdale.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
|
2 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Residency
|
2 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Loyola University Maryland |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | loyola.edu |
| Mount Holyoke College (MHC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | South Hadley, Massachusetts | Private | mtholyoke.edu |
| Trinity University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | new.trinity.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | vwu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Wabash College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Crawfordsville, Indiana | Private | wabash.edu |
| Amherst College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | amherst.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
1 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Oberlin College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oberlin, Ohio | Private | oberlin.edu |
| Haverford College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Haverford, Pennsylvania | Private | haverford.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Hampden-Sydney College (H‑SC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hampden-Sydney, Virginia | Private | hsc.edu |
| Randolph-Macon College (RMC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ashland, Virginia | Private | rmc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Latin Language and Literature programs
How much can I earn with a Latin Language and Literature degree?
Salaries for Latin 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 Latin Language and Literature programs?
Currently 31 accredited institutions offer Latin Language and Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Kentucky (UK) (5 graduates), Hillsdale College (5 graduates), and University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (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 Latin Language and Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 151 in 2010 to a peak of 76 in 2020, before declining slightly to 54 in 2023-24. This represents a 64% 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 Latin 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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