Compare 127 Linguistics. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $44,975. Top programs: $88,098+.
Linguistics programs produce graduates earning between $59,742 and $88,098—a $28K spread across 127 ranked programs that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Outcomes here track program quality, not institutional reputation: a mid-tier public can outperform a nationally recognized private on the metric that matters most after graduation.
Duke University's Linguistics program leads with graduates earning $88,098—nearly double the $44,975 average across all 127 programs. Brandeis ($78,746) and Emory ($77,000) round out the top three, but the more telling story is how public universities like UC Berkeley ($76,724) and Virginia Tech ($68,263) compete shoulder-to-shoulder with selective private institutions, often at a fraction of the cost.
Debt burden separates a good outcome from a great one. Duke Linguistics graduates borrow just $13,000 in student loans and carry only a 2.7% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' by GPS standards, meaning loan payments barely register against post-grad income. For families weighing parent loans, Brigham Young University stands out: a combined family burden of just 8.0%, the lowest in the ranking and rated 'Good'—proof that affordability and strong earnings ($60,469) can coexist. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $88,098 | 19 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Good |
| #2 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $78,746 | 15 | $25,648 | Excellent | $35,451 | Manageable |
| #3 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $76,993 | 28 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Manageable |
| #4 | $76,724 | 96 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #5 | $73,971 | 20 | $22,996 | Excellent | $36,278 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $69,274 | 29 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Challenging |
| #7 | $68,263 | 69 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $66,241 | 8 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $65,667 | 9 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $65,574 | 19 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Manageable |
| #11 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $64,547 | 63 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Manageable |
| #12 | $62,927 | 128 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Manageable | |
| #13 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $62,366 | 44 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Challenging |
| #14 | $61,774 | 29 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $61,580 | 122 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $61,080 | 34 | $20,500 | Excellent | $32,529 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $60,883 | 42 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #18 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $60,469 | 57 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Good |
| #19 | $60,031 | 55 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $59,742 | 50 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #21 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $58,931 | 23 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Challenging |
| #22 | $58,443 | 44 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #23 | $55,778 | 29 | $20,231 | Good | $21,919 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $55,776 | 65 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $55,647 | 44 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
