by our College Data Analytics TeamBefore Christopher Columbus and the colonization of the new land, the Native Americans were the first inhalants of the Americas. There were thousands of different tribes with their own languages, cultures and traditions. If you are interested in learning about America's past, majoring in Native American Languages is ideal.
While studying this major, you will focus on one or more of the native languages of the Western Hemisphere. The emphasis of this program will be placed on American Indian languages, in addition to other Native American languages. You will study oral and written literature of the Inuit and Aleut, Hawaiian and North American families. These languages include, but are not limited to, Athabascan, Siouan, Iroquoian, Algonkian, Yuman, Xapotecan, Mayan, and Uto-Aztecan. Some programs include languages in the South American families, which include Andean-Equatorial, Marcro-Chibchan, and Ge-Pano-Carib.
During the course of the program you will take courses in Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Language, Native American Philosophy, Gender and Sexuality in Native North American, Tribal Service Learning, and Tribal Governance and Leadership.
A degree in Native American Languages covers American Indian/native American Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Continue reading for the important information every native american languages major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering native american languages programs.
Nationwide, native american languages is a popular field of study, with 58 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Native American Languages Schools ranking analyzes these 13 schools to determine the best overall colleges for native american languages students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of native american languages programs later in this article.
Studies in Native American Languages build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations native american languages graduates commonly enter.
An open mind and love for storytelling are good traits to have in order to fully appreciate and grasp Native American Language. The majoring of their culture and history was passed down by word of mouth in the practice of oral storytelling. Students with an ear for languages will do well in this major.
You can prepare for this major while still in High School. Students are advised to take courses in U.S History, Geography, Humanities, Political Science, and Language. These courses would help potential students learn the fundamentals of Native American Languages and culture.
Skills developed in a native american languages program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a native american languages major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several native american 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 20 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 32 |
People currently working in careers related to native american languages 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 native american languages careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in Native American Studies provides graduates with a broad set of skills applicable in many different job fields. Some students choose to continue their education in order to become a University Professor. Another option is to become an Anthropologist or Archeologist. Both of these fields examine the past of different cultures. As an Anthropologist you will examine the elements of human culture and society. As an Archeologist, you would examine the relics from the past to recreate history and culture accurately. Grads may also be interested in becoming a Historian and spend their time researching, analyzing and explaining past events to people. Historians have the potential to get their research and work published in textbooks, newspapers, journals, and other publications.
A degree in native american languages can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to native american languages.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to native american languages.
| 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% |
Salaries for native american languages graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers native american languages 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 13 different native american languages programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased native american languages school rankings to help you.
Students interested in native american languages, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American Indian/Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 58 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
