by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, applied linguistics was the 862nd most popular major nationwide with 198 degrees awarded. This represents a 17.7% increase in applied linguistics degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 163.
Our 2023 Best Applied Linguistics Schools ranking analyzes 7 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied linguistics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied linguistics programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in applied linguistics is talking to others to convey information effectively. 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 applied linguistics certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different applied linguistics degree levels. You can get anything from a in applied linguistics to the highest applied linguistics degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common applied linguistics degree levels is shown below.
| 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 applied linguistics, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for applied linguistics 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% |
About 62.8% of workers in careers related to applied linguistics obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in applied linguistics have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the applied linguistics career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your applied linguistics degree? Applied Linguistics careers are expected to grow 15.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied linguistics.
| 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 applied linguistics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for applied linguistics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers applied linguistics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 38 different applied linguistics 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 applied linguistics school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Applied Linguistics that might interest you.
Applied Linguistics is one of 5 different types of Linguistics & Comparative Literature programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Linguistics | 3,247 |
| Modern Languages | 2,871 |
| Language Translation | 971 |
| Comparative Literature | 964 |
| Other Linguistic, Comparative, & Related Language Studies & Services | 288 |
Image Credit: By Pandit Rahul Sanskrutayan, Banshidhar Mohanty under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
