by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Applied Linguistics explores Applied Linguistics. A Program That Focuses On Language-Related Concerns In The Everyday World, Including Language Education, Acquisition Of First And Additional Languages, Discourse Analysis, Language Assessment, Literacy, And Language Policy And Planning. Includes Instruction In Linguistic Theory; Language Teaching And Learning; Discourse Analysis; Language And Cognition; And Language, Culture, And Identity. Continue reading for the essential details every applied linguistics student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering applied linguistics programs.
Nationwide, applied linguistics is a popular field of study, with 197 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Applied Linguistics Schools ranking analyzes these 26 schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied linguistics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied linguistics programs later in this article.
Studies in Applied Linguistics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations applied linguistics graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a applied linguistics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a applied linguistics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several applied 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 | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 53 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 127 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 15 |
People currently working in careers related to applied linguistics 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 applied linguistics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying applied linguistics can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to applied linguistics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied linguistics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of applied linguistics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,314 |
| 4 years | $43,990 |
| 5 years | $52,123 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for applied linguistics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers applied linguistics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 26 different applied linguistics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased applied linguistics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in applied linguistics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Linguistics | 2,847 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures, General | 2,396 |
| Language Interpretation and Translation | 967 |
| Comparative Literature | 917 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 240 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
