Eastern Europe is a diverse place full of culture and a multitude of languages. A study in Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages will allow you an understanding of the different languages of the Eastern countries of Europe.
There are many different concentrations within this major. They include Baltic, Russian, Albanian, Czech, Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian Languages and Literatures. After selecting one of these concentrations you will be instructed in philology, literature, dialects, and applications to business, science, and technology. While majoring in one of these concentrations, you will be taking courses in Beginner, Intermediate, and advanced language course, History of Poland, The Social Dynamics of Russian, History of Eastern Europe, and World Religion.
A degree in Slavic, Baltic & Albanian Languages covers Slavic, Baltic And Albanian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Continue reading for the important information every slavic, baltic & albanian languages student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering slavic, baltic & albanian languages programs.
Nationwide, slavic, baltic & albanian languages is a popular field of study, with 448 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Slavic, Baltic & Albanian Languages Schools ranking analyzes these 95 schools to determine the best overall colleges for slavic, baltic & albanian languages students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of slavic, baltic & albanian languages programs later in this article.
Coursework for Slavic, Baltic & Albanian Languages emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations slavic, baltic & albanian languages graduates commonly enter.
An ear for languages is a must when differentiating between different dialects, vocabulary and accents. Students should have an interest and appreciation for Eastern European culture and history.
To prepare for this major, students are advised to take are World Religion, Intro Language courses, World History, and World Government. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture first hand.
Skills emphasized by a slavic, baltic & albanian languages program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a slavic, baltic & albanian languages major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several slavic, baltic & albanian 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 | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 322 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 89 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 29 |
People currently working in careers related to slavic, baltic & albanian languages tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 42.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.3% |
| Master’s degree | 20.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in slavic, baltic & albanian languages careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in Slavic, Baltic & Albanian Languages can lead to many different career opportunities. If you are interested in teaching, you could find work in Postsecondary and Adult Education. You would have the opportunity to teach Slavic, Baltic or Albanian dialect, along with culture and history. Another option is to become a translator, which are currently in high demand. If you are interested in Foreign Service, you can become 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. They arrange cultural exchanges, and help Americans travel abroad.
A degree in slavic, baltic & albanian languages opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to slavic, baltic & albanian languages.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to slavic, baltic & albanian 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of slavic, baltic & albanian languages graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,240 |
| 4 years | $66,679 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for slavic, baltic & albanian languages graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers slavic, baltic & albanian 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 95 different slavic, baltic & albanian languages programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased slavic, baltic & albanian languages school rankings to help you.
Those considering slavic, baltic & albanian languages, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.