by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 78 U.S. colleges awarded 876 degrees and certificates in Language Translation. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 78% of graduates. College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Language Translation Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,314 one year after completing, rising to $53,106 after four years.
A major in Language Translation covers Language Interpretation And Translation. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Be Professional Interpreters And/or Translators Of Documents And Data Files, Either From English Or (Canadian) French Into Another Language Or Languages Or Vice Versa. Includes Intensive Instruction In One Or More Foreign Languages Plus Instruction In Subjects Such As Single- And Multiple-Language Interpretation, One- Or Two-Way Interpretation, Simultaneous Interpretation, General And Literary Translation, Business Translation, Technical Translation, And Other Specific Applications Of Linguistic Skills.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., language translation is a widely-pursued major, with 876 degrees awarded annually. 78 colleges award language translation degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 92.
By level, the 876 awards include 81 certificates, 47 associate degrees, 44 bachelor’s degrees, 684 master’s degrees and 12 doctorates.
Women earned 77% of language translation degrees and certificates in the latest year (675 of 876). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (462) and White (161), and international students earned 142.
College Factual ranks 31 schools in its 2027 Best Language Translation Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees and 7 for master’s degrees. It also ranks language translation schools within 6 states. In all, 78 colleges offer language translation programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Language Translation Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common language translation credential is the master’s degree: 684 of the 876 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to language translation 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 a language translation degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 81 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 47 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 44 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 684 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to language translation, 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 Language Translation, 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 English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (ESOL Teacher), Russian Teacher, Arabic Instructor and Arabic Language Instructor.
The occupation related to language translation 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% |
Language Translation graduates earn a median $28,314 one year after completing their program, $53,106 after four years and $52,214 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,314 |
| 4 years | $53,106 |
| 5 years | $52,214 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to language translation, with a median salary of $52,627.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
Language Translation has 5 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 6,544 degrees a year; the largest are Linguistics (2,794), Foreign Languages and Literatures, General (2,280) and Comparative Literature (987). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Linguistics | 2,794 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures, General | 2,280 |
| Comparative Literature | 987 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 308 |
| Applied Linguistics | 175 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
