by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 20 U.S. colleges awarded 133 degrees and certificates in Korean Language & Literature. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 43% of graduates. College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Korean Language & Literature Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,756 one year after completing, rising to $51,776 after four years.
A degree in Korean Language & Literature explores Korean Language And Literature. A Program That Focuses On The Korean Language. Includes Instruction In Philology; Dialects; And Applications To Business, Science/technology, And Other Settings.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, korean language & literature is a popular field of study, with 133 degrees awarded annually. 20 colleges award korean language & literature degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 32.
By level, the 133 awards include 12 associate degrees, 57 bachelor’s degrees, 54 master’s degrees and 1 doctorates.
Women earned 74% of korean language & literature degrees and certificates in the latest year (98 of 133). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (45) and Asian (38), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Korean Language & Literature Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees and 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks korean language & literature schools within 2 states. In all, 20 colleges offer korean language & literature programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Korean Language & Literature Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common korean language & literature credential is the bachelor’s degree: 57 of the 133 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to korean language & literature call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Foreign Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a korean language & literature degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 12 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 57 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 54 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to korean language & literature, at 45.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 45.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Korean Language & Literature, with an average median salary of $56,790; the strongest outlook belongs to Interpreters and Translators, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Hebrew Teacher, Teacher, Language Arts Teacher and Spanish Teacher.
The occupation related to korean language & literature with the most projected jobs is Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 629,317.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
Korean Language & Literature graduates earn a median $27,756 one year after completing their program, $51,776 after four years and $53,377 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,756 |
| 4 years | $51,776 |
| 5 years | $53,377 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to korean language & literature is Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, with a median salary of $77,927.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
Korean Language & Literature has 4 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 1,994 degrees a year; the largest are Japanese Language and Literature (923), Chinese Language and Literature (655) and East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (337). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Japanese Language and Literature | 923 |
| Chinese Language and Literature | 655 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 337 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 79 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
