Best Schools for Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn a median of $59,527 within four years of graduating, ranking #166 out of 283 tracked majors — 5% below the median across all fields. There are 12 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 148 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Rhode Island graduates earn $90,953 while University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn $42,989 — a $47,964 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Schools

$59,527

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#166

of 283 Majors

148

Graduates

Public vs Private: Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Public (11 schools)

$61,479

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (1 schools)

$49,769

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics by State

Top Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Schools by Graduate Earnings

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI · Public

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$53,183

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 83.9%

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private

$49,769

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 73.3%

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$42,989

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

1yr: $34,643 (17)

Acceptance: 77.0%

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$38,337

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 50.8%

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

$34,704

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 91.3%

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC · Public

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

$23,351

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 85.7%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution $34,823 Urban Studies/Affairs $34,682 Criminal Justice and Corrections $34,628 Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology $34,518 Political Science and Government $34,374 Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other $34,295

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?

University of Rhode Island ranks #1 for Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics with median graduate earnings of $90,953 within four years of graduating. There are 12 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn?

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn an average of $59,527 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $42,989 to $90,953 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics program?

The average acceptance rate across Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs is 68.9%. The most selective program is at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a 17.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?

Private Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs average $49,769 in early earnings vs $61,479 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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