by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1 U.S. colleges awarded 3 degrees and certificates in African Languages. Doctorates are the most popular award, at 67% of graduates. Its 2 related occupations pay an average median salary of $46,221 a year.
Did you know that one quarter of the world's languages is spoken only in African? There are nearly 800 languages spoken in Africa, whether they be tribal or national, there are nearly half a million people speaking different African languages. Major in African Language so you can learn how to speak, write, and read various African Languages.
Some of the most common languages studied are Arabic, Swahili, Twi, Yoruba, and Zulu. Students will not only learn the linguistics of African languages, but also be educated on the rich culture Africa has to offer. While majoring in African Languages, students will take courses in African languages, culture, and society, Introduction to African literature, Syntax, and Phonology.
A major in African Languages explores African Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., african languages is a widely-pursued major, with 3 degrees awarded annually. 1 colleges award african languages degrees, an average of 3 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3.
By level, the 3 awards include 1 bachelor’s degrees and 2 doctorates.
The most common african languages credential is the doctorate: 2 of the 3 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to african languages call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Foreign Language, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Students should have an ear for detail. There are many different African Languages and it is crucial to be able to detect which one is being spoken. An individual with a love for African Culture is also important. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow a student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture of Africa first hand.
To prepare for this major, students are advised to take courses in World History, Latin, French Language, and World religion. These courses will help students understand the fundamentals of African Languages.
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How long an african languages degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to african languages, at 44.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.8% |
| Master’s degree | 21.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to African Languages, with an average median salary of $46,221; the strongest outlook belongs to Interpreters and Translators, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Language Arts Teacher, Lecturer, College Faculty Member and Spanish Lecturer.
A degree in African Languages can lead to many different career options. If you are interested in teaching others, a career as a Foreign Language and literature teacher is open to you. You will be able to teach English speaking individuals African, or African speaking individuals English. Students may continue their education to become Speech Language Pathologists. These professionals work with individuals to assess and treat speech, voice, language, or fluency disorders. One more option is to become a translator, a career highly in demand due to the growing business between nations.
The occupation related to african languages 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% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to african languages, with a median salary of $52,627.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
African Languages includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (3). It has 16 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 29,168 degrees a year; 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 all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.