by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics involves the study of Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics, Other. Any Instructional Program In Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics Not Listed Above. Continue reading for the essential details every other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics programs.
In the U.S., other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics is a widely-pursued major, with 545 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics Schools ranking analyzes these 44 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics programs later in this article.
Studies in Other Foreign Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics 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 | 70 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 24 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 183 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 214 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 27 |
People currently working in careers related to other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics.
| 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 other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,370 |
| 4 years | $48,246 |
| 5 years | $55,356 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics 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 44 different other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other foreign languages, literatures, & linguistics school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
