by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Chinese Language & Literature involves the study of Chinese Language And Literature. A Program That Focuses On The Languages Of China And Associated Dialects And Literature. Includes Instruction In Philology; Linguistics; Dialects And Pidgins; And Applications To Business, Science/technology, And Other Settings. Read on to learn the essential details every chinese language & literature student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chinese language & literature programs.
Across the country, chinese language & literature is a widely-pursued major, with 626 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chinese Language & Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 103 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chinese language & literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chinese language & literature programs later in this article.
Studies in Chinese Language & Literature build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chinese language & literature graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a chinese language & literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a chinese language & literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chinese language & literature degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 63 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 417 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 125 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to chinese language & literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in chinese language & literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in chinese language & literature can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to chinese language & literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chinese language & literature.
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of chinese language & literature graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,756 |
| 4 years | $45,953 |
| 5 years | $53,377 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for chinese language & literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chinese language & literature grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 103 different chinese language & literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chinese language & literature school rankings to help you.
Students interested in chinese language & literature, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Japanese Language and Literature | 920 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 329 |
| Korean Language and Literature | 145 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 91 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
