by our College Data Analytics TeamGreek culture and history has been prevalent for over thousands of centuries and has greatly impacted other countries. Mythology, the Parthenon, Olympics, and Athens are all prominent representations of Greek culture. A major in Modern Greek Language & Literature will allow you to dive deep into an influential culture while learning the modern language. Students will study the growth of the Greek Language from the late 15th century to the present. Student will also be instructed in current Greek dialects, Modern Greek literature, Greek history, and applications to business and science.
While studying Greek Language & Literature you will be taking a variety of courses. These courses include Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Language Courses, Classical Art and Architecture, Modern Greek Literature in Translation, Culture of Contemporary Greece, and Conversation and Composition. These courses are not only in regard to Greek speech, but also Greek culture and history.
Studying Greek Language & Literature involves the study of Modern Greek Language And Literature. Read on to learn the important information every greek language & literature student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering greek language & literature programs.
In the U.S., greek language & literature is a popular field of study, with 4 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Greek Language & Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for greek language & literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of greek language & literature programs later in this article.
Coursework for Greek Language & Literature build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations greek language & literature graduates commonly enter.
Students who major in a foreign language should have an open mind in order to fully absorb the culture of another country. An individual with a love for culture will enjoy learning the history and art behind the Greek traditions. In order to comprehend and excel in learning the language, it is important to have an ear for languages and attention to detail. These skills would help you distinguish between complicated words and further understand grammar and syntax.
To prepare for this major, students are advised to take Intro Language courses, Mythology, Greek Art, Greek Society, and Greek History. Some Latin courses could be considered beneficial as well. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions which would allow a more thorough understanding of both the language and culture of Greece.
The skill set developed in a greek language & literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a greek language & literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several greek 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to greek language & literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.8% |
| Master’s degree | 21.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in greek language & literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A major in Modern Greek Language and Literature prepares students for a variety of careers. Graduates can become either foreign language teachers or literature teachers. Another fascinating career is to become an Interpreter and Translator. Graduates may also find work as a Foreign Service Officer. These officers endorse American business and political interest and give information and aid about their countries to the U.S policymakers.
Studying greek language & literature opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to greek language & literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to greek language & literature.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Salaries for greek language & literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers greek language & literature grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 3 different greek language & literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased greek language & literature school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in greek language & literature, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Modern Greek Language and Literature | 4 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
