by our College Data Analytics TeamThere is roughly 311 different languages spoken in the United States alone, with more than 6,500 languages spoken in the world. Globalization and increasing communication with foreign countries has increased the need for bilingual speakers. By entering into the field of Foreign Languages and Linguistics, you will not only master a second language, you will become a more diverse and thoughtful person.
There are many different majors you can explore within this field. Some popular choices include African Languages, Germanic Languages, Romance Languages, Iranian and Persian, and American Sign Language.
While focusing on one of these majors, you will be instructed in the dialect, philology, literature, culture and history of the language. Some of the courses you will take include Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Languages, European History, Literature, and Religion.
Foreign Languages & Linguistics was the 24th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 31,236 degrees in this year alone. This year's Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools ranking compares 217 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of foreign languages & linguistics programs later in this article.
While learning a new language it is necessary to have patience and perseverance. Some of these dialects are complicated and require practice and focus. It helps to have an ear for language and great attention to detail. To prepare for this field, students are advised to take prior courses in Foreign Language, History, Politics, and Religion. Take any advantage to study abroad while in college. This will give you invaluable, first-hand experience with the language and culture of a foreign country.
foreign languages & linguistics degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific foreign languages & linguistics careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of foreign languages & linguistics degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in foreign languages & linguistics to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the foreign languages & linguistics 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 bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to foreign languages & linguistics, with approximately 37.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to foreign languages & linguistics tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.2% |
| Doctoral Degree | 27.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 25.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.2% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 2.8% |
54.7% of foreign languages & linguistics workers have at least a master's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in foreign languages & linguistics have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the foreign languages & linguistics career you are seeking.
A graduate with a degree in this field can enter into many different occupations. You would be well prepared to teach Foreign Language, English, History, or Literature in High School or teach a Foreign Language to adults. You could also continue your education in order to become a University Professor. If education does not interest you, you can work for the government in international relations or become a Foreign Service Officer. Other students may choose to become Anthropologists or Archeologists, Librarians or Museum Curators. Finally, another career choice is to become a translator or interpreter. Well-trained translators and interpreters are in high demand because of growing communication between nations.
Want a job when you graduate with your foreign languages & linguistics degree? Foreign Languages & Linguistics careers are expected to grow 8.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to foreign languages & linguistics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| High School Teachers | 1,095,500 | 7.5% |
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
| English Language and Literature Professors | 92,900 | 9.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 80,300 | 17.7% |
| Social Scientists | 44,900 | 6.7% |
Recently graduated foreign languages & linguistics students earned an average of $32,802 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $9,605 to as high as $71,769. As you might expect, salaries for foreign languages & linguistics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for foreign languages & linguistics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers foreign languages & linguistics grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Social Scientists | $85,750 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| English Language and Literature Professors | $78,150 |
| Professors | $76,990 |
| High School Teachers | $64,340 |
With over 7,467 different foreign languages & 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 foreign languages & linguistics school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Romance Languages | 13,644 |
| Linguistics & Comparative Literature | 8,146 |
| American Sign Language | 2,671 |
| East Asian Languages | 2,319 |
| Classical Languages & Literature | 1,407 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | 538,925 |
| Social Sciences | 197,356 |
| Communication & Journalism | 116,994 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 54,010 |
| English Language & Literature | 52,704 |
Image Credit: By John Stephen Dwyer under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
