by our College Data Analytics TeamThe languages of Iran and Persia are some of the oldest languages still significant in today's world. Dating back to the ancient, medieval and now modern Iran, these languages are still spoken by 110 million people today. This program focuses on the history of Iran and its bordering regions, including Persian, Avestan/Old Persian, and other related extinct and modern languages. Students will be instructed in modern Persian and other languages in various settings including business and science/technology.
While studying this major, you will take courses in Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Language Classes, Persian Culture, Persian Mythology and Folklore, Persian Literature in Translation, and Persian Poetry.
Studying Iranian & Persian Languages explores Iranian/persian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Continue reading for the key facts every iranian & persian languages student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering iranian & persian languages programs.
In the U.S., iranian & persian languages draws strong interest, with 3 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Iranian & Persian Languages Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for iranian & persian languages students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of iranian & persian languages programs later in this article.
Studies in Iranian & Persian Languages build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations iranian & persian languages graduates commonly enter.
Patience is an essential quality when becoming fluent in another language. Many find Iranian & Persian languages difficult to learn at first, but success will come to those with persistence. A love for history and culture is ideal for this major, as students will take many classes on the rich background of Iran and its surrounding countries.
If you are interested in pursuing this as a major, there are some things you can do while still in High School to prepare. You should try to get exposure to your chosen language by taking a class or through tutoring. Other recommended classes include World History, World Religion, and Geography. Take advantage of any study abroad programs at your chosen University. This will give you valuable experience speaking the language as well as first-hand knowledge of the culture.
Skills emphasized by a iranian & persian languages program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a iranian & persian languages major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several iranian & persian languages 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 | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to iranian & persian languages 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 iranian & persian languages careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with a major in Iranian and Persian Languages are prepared for a variety of careers. Students who are interested in international relations may become a government consultant. These consultants gather, assess and scrutinize information to advise the National Security Council on workplace safety, or Internet security and other worldwide concerns. Students are also well prepared to become Foreign language or Literature Teachers, Interpreters or Translators. Archaeology is another field that attracts graduates of this major.
A degree in iranian & persian languages prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to iranian & persian languages.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to iranian & persian languages.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Salaries for iranian & persian languages graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers iranian & persian languages grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 2 different iranian & persian languages programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased iranian & persian languages school rankings to help you.
Those considering iranian & persian languages, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
