by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,110 U.S. colleges awarded 29,171 degrees and certificates in Foreign Languages & Linguistics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 384 schools in its 2027 Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $33,322 one year after completing, rising to $55,397 after four years.
There is roughly 311 different languages spoken in the United States alone, with more than 6,500 languages spoken in the world. Globalization and increasing communication with foreign countries has increased the need for bilingual speakers. By entering into the field of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, you will not only master a second language, you will become a more diverse and thoughtful person.
There are many different majors you can explore within this field. Some popular choices include African Languages, Germanic Languages, Romance Languages, Iranian and Persian, and American Sign Language.
While focusing on one of these majors, you will be instructed in the dialect, philology, literature, culture and history of the language. Some of the courses you will take include Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Languages, European History, Literature, and Religion.
A degree in Foreign Languages & Linguistics covers Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Instructional Programs That Focus On Foreign Languages And Literatures, The Humanistic And Scientific Study Of Linguistics, And The Provision Of Professional Interpretation And Translation Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, foreign languages & linguistics is a popular field of study, with 29,171 degrees awarded annually. 1,110 colleges award foreign languages & linguistics degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 603.
By level, the 29,171 awards include 788 certificates, 2,377 associate degrees, 17,541 bachelor’s degrees, 7,071 master’s degrees and 1,100 doctorates.
Women earned 71% of foreign languages & linguistics degrees and certificates in the latest year (20,642 of 29,171). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (13,816) and Hispanic or Latino (7,767), and international students earned 2,260.
College Factual ranks 384 schools in its 2027 Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools ranking, including 64 for associate degrees, 242 for bachelor’s degrees, 62 for master’s degrees and 18 for doctorates. It also ranks foreign languages & linguistics schools within 45 states. In all, 1,110 colleges offer foreign languages & linguistics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common foreign languages & linguistics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 17,541 of the 29,171 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to foreign languages & linguistics call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Foreign Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
While learning a new language it is necessary to have patience and perseverance. Some of these dialects are complicated and require practice and focus. It helps to have an ear for language and great attention to detail. To prepare for this field, students are advised to take prior courses in Foreign Language, History, Politics, and Religion. Take any advantage to study abroad while in college. This will give you invaluable, first-hand experience with the language and culture of a foreign country.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a foreign languages & linguistics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 788 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,377 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 17,541 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,071 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,100 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to foreign languages & linguistics, at 37.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 37.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.8% |
| Master’s degree | 19.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Foreign Languages & Linguistics, with an average median salary of $60,114; the strongest outlook belongs to English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Teacher, Language Arts Teacher, Spanish Teacher and Bilingual Teacher.
A graduate with a degree in this field can enter into many different occupations. You would be well prepared to teach Foreign Language, English, History, or Literature in High School or teach a Foreign Language to adults. You could also continue your education in order to become a University Professor. If education does not interest you, you can work for the government in international relations or become a Foreign Service Officer. Other students may choose to become Anthropologists or Archeologists, Librarians or Museum Curators. Finally, another career choice is to become a translator or interpreter. Well-trained translators and interpreters are in high demand because of growing communication between nations.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to foreign languages & linguistics, at 1,273,615.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates earn a median $33,322 one year after completing their program, $55,397 after four years and $54,604 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,322 |
| 4 years | $55,397 |
| 5 years | $54,604 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to foreign languages & linguistics, with a median salary of $88,437.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
Foreign Languages & Linguistics includes 17 concentrations that together award 29,171 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (12,344), Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (7,420) and American Sign Language (2,471). Browse the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
