by our College Data Analytics TeamChinese Language & Literature was the 518th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 718 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 1.8% reduction in Chinese language degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 731.
This year's Best Chinese Language & Literature Schools ranking compares 51 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of Chinese language programs later in this article.
Chinese Language & Literature majors are found most commonly in careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is important. 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. Specific Chinese language careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different Chinese language degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in Chinese language and literature to something that takes less time like a . Different Chinese language and literature degrees vary in how long they take.
| 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 Chinese language, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to Chinese language tend obtained the following education levels.
| 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 Chinese language obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in Chinese language and literature have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the Chinese language career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your Chinese language degree? Chinese 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 Chinese 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 Chinese language graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for Chinese language and literature graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers Chinese language grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 218 different Chinese 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 Chinese language school rankings to help you with this.
Chinese Language & Literature is one of 4 different types of East Asian Languages programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Japanese Language & Literature | 1,053 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General | 292 |
| Korean Language & Literature | 117 |
| Other East Asian Languages | 113 |
