by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 48 U.S. colleges awarded 568 degrees and certificates in Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 38% of graduates. College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,370 one year after completing, rising to $55,197 after four years.
A major in Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics involves the study of Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics, Other. Any Instructional Program In Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics is a widely-pursued major, with 568 degrees awarded annually. 48 colleges award other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 60.
By level, the 568 awards include 71 certificates, 3 associate degrees, 214 bachelor’s degrees, 218 master’s degrees and 25 doctorates.
Women earned 72% of other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics degrees and certificates in the latest year (408 of 568). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (206) and Hispanic or Latino (151), and international students earned 35.
College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics Schools ranking, including 6 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics schools within 5 states. In all, 48 colleges offer other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics credential is the master’s degree: 218 of the 568 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics 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 an other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 71 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 214 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 218 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 25 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics, 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 Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics, 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, ESL Instructor (English as a Second Language Instructor), Bilingual Teacher and Spanish Teacher.
The occupation related to other foreign 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% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics graduates earn a median $37,370 one year after completing their program, $55,197 after four years and $55,356 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,370 |
| 4 years | $55,197 |
| 5 years | $55,356 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
