Foreign Languages and Linguistics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Exploring the intricacies of global languages, cultures, and linguistic systems, this program offers a comprehensive academic journey into the structure, evolution, and use of languages beyond one's native tongue. Students engage in advanced study of language acquisition, textual analysis, and cross-cultural communication, preparing for careers in education, translation, international relations, and beyond.
- Language Acquisition and Pedagogy: Investigates how individuals learn and teach second and foreign languages, emphasizing effective instructional methods and cognitive processes.
- Comparative Linguistics: Analyzes structural similarities and differences across language families to understand historical development and relationships among languages.
- Textual and Literary Analysis: Examines written works in their cultural and historical contexts, focusing on narrative techniques, stylistic devices, and thematic depth across diverse literary traditions.
- Phonetics and Phonology: Studies the physical production of speech sounds and the systematic organization of sounds within a language.
- Sociolinguistics: Explores how language varies across social groups, regions, and contexts, and how it reflects and shapes identity, power, and social interaction.
- Translation and Interpretation Theory: Develops skills in accurate, culturally sensitive translation while examining the theoretical foundations of meaning transfer between languages.
- Language Documentation and Preservation: Focuses on recording and analyzing endangered or underrepresented languages to support linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.
Foreign Languages and Linguistics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Foreign Languages and Linguistics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Foreign Languages and Linguistics 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 |
Foreign Languages and Linguistics 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 Foreign Languages and Linguistics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 44 institutions offering Foreign Languages and Linguistics 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 Foreign Languages and Linguistics is found at Georgia State University (67 graduates), University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (40 graduates), University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (30 graduates), Augusta University (AU) (29 graduates), and Georgia Southern University (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 545 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia State University |
Other Award
|
67 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
40 | Adelphi, Maryland | Public | umgc.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
30 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
29 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| Clemson University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Yakima Valley College (YVC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
25 | Yakima, Washington | Public | yvcc.edu |
| Tulsa Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsacc.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
19 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Everett Community College (EvCC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
16 | Everett, Washington | Public | everettcc.edu |
| Oxnard College |
Other Award
|
15 | Oxnard, California | Public | oxnardcollege.edu |
| University of West Georgia (UWG) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
15 | Carrollton, Georgia | Public | westga.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Columbia Basin College (CBC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Pasco, Washington | Public | columbiabasin.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Master's
|
9 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
| St Lawrence University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Canton, New York | Private | stlawu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Other Award
|
5 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
4 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Clark University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | clarku.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Associate's
|
2 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Residency
Other Award
|
2 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Bennington College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bennington, Vermont | Private | bennington.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Andrews University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Master's
|
1 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Foreign Languages and Linguistics programs
How much can I earn with a Foreign Languages and Linguistics degree?
Salaries for Foreign Languages and Linguistics 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 Foreign Languages and Linguistics programs?
Currently 44 accredited institutions offer Foreign Languages and Linguistics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Georgia State University (67 graduates), University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (40 graduates), and University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (30 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 Foreign Languages and Linguistics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 351 in 2010 to 545 in 2023-24. This represents a 55% 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 Foreign Languages and Linguistics 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.
Related Languages Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Languages field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Middle and Near Eastern Languages and Linguistics
Instructional content for this group of programs is defined in codes 16.1100 - 16.1199.
Arabic Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Arabic language. Includes instruction in philology; Classical Arabic; Modern Standard Arabic; dialects; and applications to business, science/technology,...
Hebrew Language and Literature
A program that focuses on the Hebrew language. Includes instruction in philology; Biblical Hebrew (including Pre- and Post-Exilic scripts); Modern Hebrew; dialects; and...
Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages and Literatures
A program that focuses on one or more of the extinct Semitic and/or Non-Semitic languages spoken in the ancient Near East, including those...
Middle and Near Eastern Languages and Linguistics
Any instructional program in Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.
Classics and Classical Languages
Instructional content for this group of programs is defined in codes 16.1200 - 16.1299.