Linguistics
Quick Facts: Linguistics Training
Where it's offered
Linguistics programs are offered at 4 schools across 3 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $35,232/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
There are no Department of Labor registered apprenticeship pathways currently mapped to Linguistics, but related trades may have programs — check apprenticeship.gov directly.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 4 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 35/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Linguistics Graduates Do
Your expertise in language can lead you down two very different paths. You might find yourself in a high school classroom, guiding students through French literature or using interactive software to teach Spanish grammar. Your days will involve lesson planning, grading, and connecting with students. Alternatively, you could work as an interpreter, providing real-time translation during a doctor's appointment or a business negotiation via video call. Entry-level roles are often in schools or for translation agencies.
Read more
As you gain experience, you can advance. A teacher might become a department head, while an interpreter could become a certified court specialist or build a freelance business, significantly increasing your earnings. While many teaching roles are stable, the fastest growth is in specialized interpretation services. Technology is reshaping this work. AI tools now handle many basic translation tasks, but they can't replace human experts for jobs requiring cultural nuance, empathy, or high-stakes accuracy. Successful professionals adapt by using AI as a tool, freeing them to focus on the complex, judgment-based work that commands higher pay.
You may also want to compare Linguistics with Romance Languages, American Sign Language, and Ethnic & Cultural Studies on earnings and ROI.
Find Linguistics Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Linguistics is offered at 4 schools across 3 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Linguistics Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Linguistics programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
4 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC |
56 50–59 |
| 2 | American University Washington, DC |
48 42–51 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA |
46 39–50 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC |
42 37–45 |
Highest Earning Linguistics Programs
Schools where Linguistics graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| American University | $52,493/yr | 48 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $36,557/yr | 46 |
| Durham Technical Community College | $26,246/yr | 56 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | $25,630/yr | 42 |
Best ROI for Linguistics
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Linguistics.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Technical Community College | 131.2x | $26,246/yr | 56 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 34.5x | $25,630/yr | 42 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | 27.8x | $36,557/yr | 46 |
| American University | 8.3x | $52,493/yr | 48 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Linguistics degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.