Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 3 college programs, at a typical net price.
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
What Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics pays
Career outlook for Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates
The job market for the occupations Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education | 1,094,500 | -1.6% | $64,580 | Bachelor's degree |
| Interpreters and translators | 75,300 | +1.7% | $59,440 | Bachelor's degree |
| Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary | 26,400 | -0.2% | $77,010 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics vs similar majors
How Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics stacks up against the closest fields in Foreign Languages & Linguistics on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Foreign Languages & Linguistics · this major | Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 26 F | 83 A | 52 C | 39 D |
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return | Strong return | Break-even |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $47,516 | $77,090 | $62,032 | $57,407 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | — | $48,355 | $50,308 | $34,944 |
| ROI vs cost | -68% | +305% | +114% | +54% |
| Typical debt | $20,250 | $20,000 | $21,161 | $22,920 |
| Colleges offering it | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Best colleges for Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | Associate's | $48,957 | — | +203% | Strong return |
| 2 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL | Associate's | $46,695 | $20,250 | -43% | Poor return |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA | Associate's | $46,895 | — | -58% | Poor return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.