by our College Data Analytics TeamGerman Language & Literature was the 406th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,192 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 2.9% reduction in German language degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,226.
Our 2023 Best German Language & Literature Schools ranking analyzes 121 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for German language and literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of German language programs later in this article.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to German language. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional German language certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different German language degree levels. You can get anything from a in German language and literature to the highest German language degree, a . Depending on the German language and literature degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to German language, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for German language workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 37.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 30.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.6% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 4.3% |
Most workers in German language have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in German language and literature careers have.
This of course varies depending on which German language career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your German language degree? German Language & Literature careers are expected to grow 15.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to German language and literature.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | 80,300 | 17.7% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | 39,100 | 11.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for German language graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for German language and literature graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers German language grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 623 different German language degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased German language school rankings to help you with this.
German Language & Literature is one of 7 different types of Germanic Languages programs to choose from.
