Compare 12 Linguistics. programs in California. Average earnings: $38,348.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Linguistics tells a different story. Across 12 programs in California, earnings range from $22,001 to $55,469—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
UCLA's Linguistics program leads with graduates earning $55,469, closely followed by UC Berkeley at $55,407. With the state average at $38,348, these UC programs demonstrate substantial premiums. UC Santa Barbara rounds out the top three at $51,160, showing how program-level factors within the UC system drive outcomes more than institutional brand alone.
Highest program earnings: $55,469
Strong outcomes with 93.2% acceptance
5.4% payment burden | Excellent
18.4% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $55,469 | 153 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $55,407 | 81 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $51,160 | 108 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $44,631 | 61 | $15,500 | Good | $24,257 | High | |
| #5 | $40,462 | 26 | $13,872 | Good | $13,522 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $40,426 | 60 | $17,500 | Manageable | $18,275 | High | |
| #7 | $38,878 | 233 | $16,666 | Manageable | $28,682 | High | |
| #8 | $34,682 | 41 | $14,289 | Manageable | $15,177 | High | |
| #9 | $30,444 | 52 | $13,000 | Challenging | $25,733 | High | |
| #10 | $24,421 | 20 | $14,505 | High | $12,050 | High | |
| #11 | $22,192 | 24 | $13,750 | High | $16,538 | High | |
| #12 | $22,001 | 36 | $15,000 | High | $25,565 | 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 →
