by our College Data Analytics TeamThere are many different cultures and religions associated with Southern Asia. This rich culture and diversity lends itself to several different languages and dialects spoken throughout the region. There are many different countries encompassed in what we would consider South Asia and because of this there are many different concentrations within this major. They include Hindi, Sanskrit and Classical Indian Languages, Bengali, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu Language and Literature.
In any one of these concentrations you will take Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Language Courses, Asian Literature, Religions of India, Buddhism in contemporary society, Art of Southeast Asian, and Classical Asian civilization.
In 2021-2022, south asian languages was the 367th most popular major nationwide with 14 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best South Asian Languages Schools ranking analyzes 1 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for south asian languages students. Explore this or one of our many other custom south asian rankings further below.
South Asian Languages majors are found most commonly in careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is important. Required skills include 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.
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 south asian careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
South Asian degree levels vary. South Asian Languages programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest south asian degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a south asian degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 south asian, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to south asian 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% |
Most workers in south asian have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in south asian languages careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the south asian career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your south asian degree? South Asian Languages careers are expected to grow 15.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to south asian languages.
| 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 south asian graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for south asian languages graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers south asian grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 12 different south asian 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 south asian school rankings to help you with this.
One of 18 majors within the Foreign Languages & Linguistics area of study, South Asian Languages has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related 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 |
