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Classics and Classical Languages

HUMANITIES Specialization

Classics and Classical Languages

Classics and Classical Languages graduates earn $49,429 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,066 and $67,794. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Classics and Classical Languages

Classics and Classical Languages is a focused area of study within Languages. Graduates typically earn around $49,429 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 272 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,484 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 4yr: $49,429
Colleges Offering: 272
Graduates / Year: 1,484
Avg Net Price / yr: $20,985

How Much Do Classics and Classical Languages Graduates Earn?

Classics and Classical Languages graduates earn $49,429 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,066 and $67,794.

$49,429

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$50,542

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Classics and Classical Languages graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$32,066 25th pct.

$49,429 Median

$67,794 75th pct.

Understanding the Cost vs. Return

At median 4-year earnings of $49,429 and an estimated $83,940 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.3 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 277 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 1,484 students who complete Classics and Classical Languages programs each year, the majority (76%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

76%

Bachelor's 76%

Master's 16%

Doctorate 6%

What Can You Do With a Classics and Classical Languages Degree?

Classics and Classical Languages connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers leads at $79,350/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↘ -0.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers

$79,350

$63K $103K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,900 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Speaking Learning Strategies Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

↘ -1.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Secondary School Teacher

$72,040

$60K $93K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 66,200 openings/yr 1.1M employed nationally

Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Learning Strategies Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.

↗ +1.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Interpreters and Translators

$60,170

$47K $81K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 6,900 openings/yr 52K employed nationally

Speaking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Writing Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.

Top Colleges for Classics and Classical Languages

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Classics and Classical Languages students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit	35	4%	$21,590	$102,491
2	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	34	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
3	Brown University Providence, RI · Nonprofit	25	5.4%	$25,184	$93,487
4	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public	24	45.2%	$17,354	$73,792
5	Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public	24	24.2%	$11,297	$61,675
6	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public	24	78.1%	$25,346	$69,738
7	University of Kansas Lawrence, KS · Public	23	93.5%	$18,059	$61,945
8	University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	22	4.5%	$14,860	$91,885
9	William & Mary Williamsburg, VA · Public	22	34.1%	$19,096	$73,490
10	Villanova University Villanova, PA · Nonprofit	22	27%	$43,756	$100,423
11	Yale University New Haven, CT · Nonprofit	22	3.9%	$23,777	$100,533
12	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public	21	26.6%	$19,857	$75,121
13	University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public	21	24.2%	$6,541	$71,588
14	Cornell University Ithaca, NY · Nonprofit	21	8.8%	$28,690	$104,043
15	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO · Public	20	78.5%	$20,268	$63,403
16	St. John's College Santa Fe, NM · Nonprofit	20	53.2%	$26,674	$44,985
17	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit	19	5.4%	$28,699	$111,371
18	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN · Nonprofit	19	11.3%	$26,780	$99,980
19	Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	19	3.7%	$19,066	$101,817
20	Princeton University Princeton, NJ · Nonprofit	19	4.6%	$6,128	$110,066

View all colleges

Ranked by Classics and Classical Languages graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Classics and Classical Languages program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Classics and Classical Languages degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Classics and Classical Languages Degree: Pros & Cons

Classics and Classical Languages carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 75,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $49,429 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas 2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($32,066) and 75th ($67,794) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Classics and Classical Languages Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Classics and Classical Languages graduates earn?

Classics and Classical Languages graduates earn a national median of $49,429 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,066 and $67,794. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What jobs can you get with a Classics and Classical Languages degree?

Classics and Classical Languages degree holders pursue careers including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, which pays a median of $79,350/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Classics and Classical Languages program take?

A Classics and Classical Languages bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Classics and Classical Languages?

272 colleges and universities in the United States offer Classics and Classical Languages programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Classics and Classical Languages degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $49,429 and an average net price of roughly $20,985/yr, a Classics and Classical Languages degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Classics and Classical Languages and Languages?

Classics and Classical Languages is a focused concentration within the broader Languages field. The Languages major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Classics and Classical Languages-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Classics and Classical Languages graduates?

Employers hiring Classics and Classical Languages graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for Classics and Classical Languages graduates?

The job outlook for Classics and Classical Languages graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of 0.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Interpreters and Translators is among the strongest-growth roles at +1.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.