Compare 11 German Language and Literature. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $41,573. Top programs: $83,184+.
With top graduates earning $83,184, German Language and Literature stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $41K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Rhode Island's German Language and Literature program leads with graduates earning $83,184, nearly double the field average of $41,573. This regional public university demonstrates how program-specific strengths trump overall institutional rankings, with Ohio State ($56,802) and Michigan State ($55,691) rounding out the top three.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Rhode Island graduates borrow $22,250 and face just a 5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes genuinely affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $83,184 | 36 | $22,250 | Excellent | $28,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $56,802 | 18 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $55,691 | 6 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #4 | $47,834 | 43 | $19,500 | Good | $30,250 | High | |
| #5 | $39,104 | 21 | $21,500 | Manageable | $19,809 | High | |
| #6 | $34,704 | 13 | $18,500 | Challenging | $23,123 | High | |
| #7 | College Of CharlestonPublic | $33,459 | 10 | $23,250 | High | $35,971 | High |
| #8 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $32,569 | 10 | $18,500 | High | $20,855 | High |
| #9 | $29,685 | 14 | $19,509 | High | $32,850 | High | |
| #10 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $23,351 | 19 | $19,620 | High | $30,126 | High |
| #11 | University Of Puget SoundPrivate | $20,916 | 18 | $25,000 | High | $52,058 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
