by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1 U.S. colleges awarded 3 degrees and certificates in African Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics. Doctorates are the most popular award, at 67% of graduates. Its 2 related occupations pay an average median salary of $46,221 a year.
A degree in African Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics involves the study of African Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. A Program That Focuses On One Or More Of The Languages Native To The African Continent, Including, But Not Limited To, Bantu Languages, Nilo-Saharan Languages, Niger-Congo Languages, Khoisan Languages, And The Chadic And Ethiopic Languages Of The Hamito-Semitic Language Family. Includes Instruction In Philology, Dialects, And Oral And Written Literatures.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., african languages, literatures, & linguistics is a widely-pursued major, with 3 degrees awarded annually. 1 colleges award african languages, literatures, & linguistics 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, literatures, & linguistics credential is the doctorate: 2 of the 3 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to african languages, literatures, & linguistics 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an african languages, literatures, & linguistics 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, literatures, & linguistics, 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, Literatures, & Linguistics, 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 Teacher, English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (ESOL Teacher), German Professor and Swahili Teacher.
The occupation related to african languages, literatures, & linguistics 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, literatures, & linguistics, with a median salary of $52,627.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.