by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 808 U.S. colleges awarded 8,837 degrees and certificates in Spanish Language & Literature. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 69% of graduates. College Factual ranks 172 schools in its 2027 Best Spanish Language & Literature Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,134 one year after completing, rising to $57,332 after four years.
A major in Spanish Language & Literature explores Spanish Language And Literature. A Program That Focuses On The Spanish Language And Related Dialects. Includes Instruction In Philology; Modern Castillan; Latin American And Regional Spanish Dialects; And Applications In Business, Science/technology, And Other Settings.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, spanish language & literature is a widely-pursued major, with 8,837 degrees awarded annually. 808 colleges award spanish language & literature degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 153.
By level, the 8,837 awards include 62 certificates, 814 associate degrees, 6,128 bachelor’s degrees, 1,512 master’s degrees and 147 doctorates.
Women earned 75% of spanish language & literature degrees and certificates in the latest year (6,640 of 8,837). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (3,890) and White (3,760), and international students earned 328.
College Factual ranks 172 schools in its 2027 Best Spanish Language & Literature Schools ranking, including 24 for associate degrees, 106 for bachelor’s degrees, 13 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks spanish language & literature schools within 39 states. In all, 808 colleges offer spanish language & literature programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Spanish Language & Literature Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common spanish language & literature credential is the bachelor’s degree: 6,128 of the 8,837 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to spanish language & literature 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 a spanish language & literature degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 62 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 814 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,128 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,512 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 147 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to spanish language & literature, 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 Spanish Language & Literature, 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 French Teacher, Language Teacher, ESL Instructor (English as a Second Language Instructor) and Bilingual Teacher.
The occupation related to spanish language & literature 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% |
Spanish Language & Literature graduates earn a median $35,134 one year after completing their program, $57,332 after four years and $56,032 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,134 |
| 4 years | $57,332 |
| 5 years | $56,032 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to spanish language & literature 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 |
Spanish Language & Literature has 6 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 3,507 degrees a year; the largest are French Language and Literature (2,010), Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General (696) and Italian Language and Literature (325). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
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