Computational Linguistics
"Alexa!" "Siri!" "Hey, Google!" If you've ever asked your smartphone for directions, messaged with a chatbot, or typed a random question into a search box, you already know the power of computational linguistics. Now, you can study how this technology works—and find ways to make it even better—in a rapidly growing field that brings together language and technology.
What will I learn?
As a computational linguistics student, you'll typically take courses from two departments (linguistics and computer science and engineering). For example, you may study how language relates to race and gender in one class, how to structure data for computational processing in another, and how to analyze linguistic data in another. With every semester, you'll gain a greater understanding of how computers process human language and how you can use this technology to solve real-world problems.
What can I do with a computational linguistics degree?
Employers are looking for people who can help them advance the capabilities of computational systems to process spoken language, build chatbots to carry on more productive conversations, and ensure that natural language processing software is inclusive of different languages and dialects. (Side note: Our grad students placed third worldwide in the Alexa Prize SocialBot Grand Challenge!) As a computational linguistics major, be prepared to find your skills in high demand with companies, government agencies, research institutes, universities and other leading organizations.
In a field that's advancing so quickly, you'll find plenty of new and exciting opportunities, including some that may not even exist today. Possible careers include:
- Analytical linguist.
- Artificial intelligence scientist.
- Chatbot designer.
- Computational linguist.
- Grammar developer.
- Natural language processing engineer.
- Research engineer.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $87,060.00 | $41.86 | Rapid Growth |
| Computer Programmers | $93,890.00 | $45.14 | |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $111,960.00 | $53.83 | Rapid Growth |
| Data Scientists | $75,620.00 | $36.36 | Rapid Growth |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other | $53,500.00 | $25.72 | Rapid Growth |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $64,360.00 | $30.94 | Rapid Growth |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $133,140.00 | N/A |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.