Overview of a Bachelor’s Degree in Language
A major in language usually encompasses the study of one or more foreign languages, such as French, German, Spanish, Italian or Japanese. It also typically includes intensive coursework in linguistics, literature, cultural studies, and translation. This degree program could also include a focus on language teaching, language-specific research, and the application of language to other disciplines.
Careers for Language Majors
Graduates of language programs often pursue a wide range of careers as language educators, interpreters, translators, speech-language pathologists, or communications professionals. These professionals work in a variety of settings, including online, schools, universities, companies, and government agencies. Other potential career paths include working in the hospitality, tourism, and international relations industries.
Impact of AI on Language Majors
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) advances, it is becoming an increasingly ubiquitous tool throughout many industries. For language majors, AI can be used in translation, language teaching, and language research. AI technology can also be used to aid in the creation of chatbots, targeted communication, and automatic responses, as well as voice recognition software for translation and transcription of written and spoken word. On the downside, AI can also disrupt or replace traditional roles for some language professionals.
Most Selective Schools for a degree in Language
Here are the most selective colleges that offer a degree in Language. We have sorted our list based on the competitiveness of the admission process for Language majors.
-
University of Chicago
University of Chicago is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Chicago, IL. It has an enrollment of 7,558 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 6.48%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $22,690.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1535.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Nashville, TN. It has an enrollment of 7,104 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 7.14%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $22,204.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1534.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 35.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Harvard University
Harvard University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Cambridge, MA. It has an enrollment of 7,938 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 4.01%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $13,259.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1534.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 35.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Rice University
Rice University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Houston, TX. It has an enrollment of 4,240 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 9.48%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,805.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1534.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 35.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Claremont, CA. It has an enrollment of 905 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 9.99%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $30,026.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1533.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 35.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Evanston, IL. It has an enrollment of 8,691 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 6.97%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $28,230.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1529.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 35.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Stanford University
Stanford University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Stanford, CA. It has an enrollment of 7,645 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 3.95%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $7,200.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1528.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 35.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Columbia University in the City of New York
Columbia University in the City of New York is a four-year, full-time, more selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in New York, NY. It has an enrollment of 8,832 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 4.13%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $12,836.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1528.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 35.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
Learn more about Columbia University in the City of New York
-
Yale University
Yale University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in New Haven, CT. It has an enrollment of 6,535 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 5.31%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $16,341.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1526.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Washington University in St Louis
Washington University in St Louis is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Saint Louis, MO. It has an enrollment of 7,713 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 13.00%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $27,595.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1524.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Philadelphia, PA. It has an enrollment of 10,644 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 5.87%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $14,851.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1523.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Pittsburgh, PA. It has an enrollment of 6,880 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 13.54%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $37,846.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1520.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Pomona College
Pomona College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Claremont, CA. It has an enrollment of 1,747 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 6.64%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $9,170.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1520.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Princeton University
Princeton University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Princeton, NJ. It has an enrollment of 5,236 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 4.38%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $11,080.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1517.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Brown University
Brown University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Providence, RI. It has an enrollment of 7,125 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 5.51%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $26,308.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1517.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Duke University
Duke University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Durham, NC. It has an enrollment of 6,815 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 5.89%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $31,416.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1516.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Cornell University
Cornell University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Ithaca, NY. It has an enrollment of 15,451 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 8.69%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $29,011.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1510.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Hanover, NH. It has an enrollment of 4,533 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 6.17%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $33,023.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1508.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
New York University
New York University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in New York, NY. It has an enrollment of 28,556 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 12.96%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $39,565.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1507.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Tufts University
Tufts University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Medford, MA. It has an enrollment of 6,628 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 11.43%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $35,683.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1506.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Swarthmore, PA. It has an enrollment of 1,643 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 7.79%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $20,780.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1504.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Boston, MA. It has an enrollment of 15,645 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 18.38%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $34,255.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1500.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Haverford College
Haverford College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Haverford, PA. It has an enrollment of 1,420 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 17.84%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $29,138.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1494.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Hamilton College
Hamilton College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Clinton, NY. It has an enrollment of 2,049 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 14.07%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $26,296.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1492.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Notre Dame, IN. It has an enrollment of 8,950 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 15.07%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $32,369.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1490.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Washington, DC. It has an enrollment of 7,395 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 11.98%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $24,570.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1488.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Lexington, VA. It has an enrollment of 1,850 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 18.85%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $27,417.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1487.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Boston College
Boston College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Chestnut Hill, MA. It has an enrollment of 9,797 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 19.04%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $38,412.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1485.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Barnard College
Barnard College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in New York, NY. It has an enrollment of 3,007 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 11.47%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $32,514.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1484.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
University of Southern California
University of Southern California is a four-year, full-time, more selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Los Angeles, CA. It has an enrollment of 20,619 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 12.51%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $25,972.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1484.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Cleveland, OH. It has an enrollment of 5,697 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 30.24%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $37,702.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1483.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Carleton College
Carleton College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Northfield, MN. It has an enrollment of 2,008 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 17.55%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $31,800.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1482.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Vassar College
Vassar College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Poughkeepsie, NY. It has an enrollment of 2,500 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 20.15%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $35,236.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1480.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Emory University
Emory University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Atlanta, GA. It has an enrollment of 7,050 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 13.05%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $25,424.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1480.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Colby College
Colby College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Waterville, ME. It has an enrollment of 2,262 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 8.87%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,739.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1471.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Amherst College
Amherst College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Amherst, MA. It has an enrollment of 1,971 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 8.74%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,304.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1469.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Wellesley College
Wellesley College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Wellesley, MA. It has an enrollment of 2,383 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 16.18%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $21,561.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1468.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Middlebury, VT. It has an enrollment of 2,837 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 13.45%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $29,047.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1466.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
University of Virginia-Main Campus
University of Virginia-Main Campus is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Charlottesville, VA. It has an enrollment of 17,041 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 20.74%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $20,507.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1457.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 34.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Smith College
Smith College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Northampton, MA. It has an enrollment of 2,566 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 29.91%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $29,814.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1456.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Scripps College
Scripps College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Claremont, CA. It has an enrollment of 1,091 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 29.54%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $39,142.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1456.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
University of Rochester
University of Rochester is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Rochester, NY. It has an enrollment of 6,417 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 40.55%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $31,171.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1455.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Waltham, MA. It has an enrollment of 3,577 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 39.14%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $29,959.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1455.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Grinnell College
Grinnell College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Grinnell, IA. It has an enrollment of 1,713 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 10.54%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $28,610.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1450.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 32.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Colgate University
Colgate University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Hamilton, NY. It has an enrollment of 3,152 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 17.19%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $24,489.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1448.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Dallas, TX. It has an enrollment of 6,894 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 53.13%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $40,452.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1448.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
William & Mary
William & Mary is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Williamsburg, VA. It has an enrollment of 6,521 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 36.54%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $18,650.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1447.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Boston University
Boston University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Boston, MA. It has an enrollment of 17,501 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 18.65%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $26,170.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1447.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Kenyon College
Kenyon College is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Gambier, OH. It has an enrollment of 1,868 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 36.55%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $33,706.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1443.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.
-
Villanova University
Villanova University is a four-year, full-time, more selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Villanova, PA. It has an enrollment of 7,000 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 25.24%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $34,784.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.
The average SAT score was 1437.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 33.0 for the incoming class to 2023.