Nearly every industry, from business to healthcare, requires Spanish speakers. Fluent in this popular language have good job prospects as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 24% growth in jobs for interpreters and translators through 2030.
However, with so few online bachelors’ in Spanish programs, choosing one that suits your job objectives can be difficult.
Continue reading to find out which online Spanish degree programs will meet your goals while remaining within your budget.
Types of degrees available in Spanish
| Degree | Credit | General program length |
| Associate Degree | 60 credits | Two years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 58 credits | Four years |
| Master’s Degree | 60 credits | Two years |
| Doctorate Degree | 90 credits, seminars, research and dissertation requirements | 3-5 years |
Online Spanish Associate’s Degree
Taft College
Degree: Associate in Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State): $2,760
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $18,240
Taft college offers the Associate of Arts in Spanish for Transfer (AA-T) is a fully online program designed so students can transfer directly to a California State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online. Students must complete all courses with a grade of “C” or better to be eligible for transfer. High school students and students without a high school diploma may register for the program with some extra permission, and students who place out of any course may take a substitute class to fulfill the credit requirements. Transferring to college is aided by assistance and counseling. The online AA in Spanish for Transfer is a terrific program for anyone seeking an online associate’s in Spanish, but especially for California students who wish to continue to get their bachelor’s degree.
Truckee Meadows Community College
Degree: Associate of Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State): $6,915
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $9,990
Truckee Meadows Community College’s online AA in Spanish provides students with various engaging course alternatives to fulfill the degree’s general education requirements. Iberia and Its Cultures, Hispanic America and Its Cultures, and Spanish for Heritage Speakers are excellent courses in the degree. This AA degree is designed for those wishing to transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online. The University of Nevada – Reno has a transfer agreement with the school. Truckee Meadows offers an associate’s degree program in Spanish that includes a variety of courses to suit even the most inquiring minds, all wrapped up in a convenient online degree program.
East Mississippi Community College
Degree: Associate of Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State): $8,400
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $14,400
East Mississippi Community College’s online AA in Spanish allows students to quickly transfer their credits to a four-year institution to finish a bachelor’s degree. A student’s general education prerequisites and major classes can be completed online, including Introduction to Sociology I, Spanish I, and American National Government. Normally, students must submit ACT results and transcripts from high school, and any other college attended. However, due to the pandemic, test scores have been excused. Students can apply for financial help, which includes a variety of scholarships, as well as support services for veterans and military students. Students in this program have access to IT support and library resources. The AA in Spanish from East Mississippi Community College is an excellent online Spanish associate’s degree program that provides a high-quality education at a low cost.
Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Online
Eastern New Mexico University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State): $27,960
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $35,952
The 100% online Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Eastern New Mexico University is the only program of its kind in New Mexico, including tracks for individuals who are Spanish native speakers or want to learn the language, as well as those who want to learn the language. Advanced Composition, Latin American Culture and Civilization, Transatlantic Survey, and Advanced Conversation and Film are the program’s courses. The online lectures require students to be available for live sessions to interact with professors and peers. ENMU also offers tutoring, library services, and a month-long summer immersion program in Guatemala to students enrolled in the program. There is assistance to transfer credits from prior studies. ENMU’s bachelor’s degree in Spanish online is a fantastic and cost-effective program for students worldwide who want a thorough and involved education.
Florida International University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State): $28,287
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $42,334
Florida International University’s online BA in Spanish offers falls, spring, or summer start dates. Advanced Grammar and Composition, Intro to Spanish American Literature, and Intro to Peninsular Spanish Literature are required courses. Electives from literature, cinema, translation, conversation, or upper-division language can be selected. For admission, students must submit SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, and any college transcripts for transfer students. International students are welcomed. The program includes interactive online lectures, teacher feedback, and peer participation while maintaining the ease of online flexibility. Students are paired with a success coach to help them navigate the college experience and access everything FIU offers. FIU’s online BA program is an excellent option for students who are passionate about their studies but need to fit their academics around their other employment or home obligations. It is an especially great bargain for Florida residents and affordable for out-of-state students.
University of North Alabama
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $42,000
Three emphasis options for students in the online BA in Spanish from the University of North Alabama are Language & Culture, Spanish for Commerce, and Literature. These options allow students to be a minor or double major in another field of their choice. Intermediate Spanish, Intro to Hispanic Literature, and Senior Thesis are the program’s courses. Students can access learning materials 24/7 and arrange to meet online or face-to-face with faculty. Online students pay the same low tuition rate no matter where they live, and there are scholarships and other ways to save money while earning a bachelor’s degree. With affordable tuition for all students and interesting options for a specialty in this major, the UNA online Spanish degree is a great choice.
Northern State University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $42,150
Northern State University’s online BA in Spanish is asynchronous, meaning students can fit their schoolwork into any work or family life. It is also a great program for those with previous college credits, as they offer a very inexpensive transfer credit policy. Courses in the major include Integrated Writing Conversation and Grammar, Intro to Latin-American Literature, and Texts, History, and Contexts in Spain and Latin America. Students can participate in a 4-week intensive program in Chile during the summer. The SAT or ACT is not required for admissions but maybe for scholarships, and there are many different criteria students can fulfill to qualify for admission. The online Spanish degree tuition price is the same for all students regardless of location. Northern State University has a great program for a bachelor’s degree in Spanish online with a strong curriculum, flexible scheduling, and low tuition.
Online Master’s Degree in Spanish
The University of Nebraska at Kearney
Master’s degree in education specializing in Spanish education
Total Cost (In-State): $12,769
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $17,197
The online Master of Arts in Education / Spanish from the University of Nebraska at Kearney is 36 credit hours long and can incorporate study-abroad credits as part of the program. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Spanish, Spanish Education, or another major with a 3.0 minimum GPA. Advanced-low language proficiency is required, and an English statement of purpose and a Spanish academic writing sample are also required to apply. Spanish Language Heritage Pedagogy, Second Language Acquisition, and Curriculum Development and Research are the program’s courses. Seminar in Contemporary Spanish Thought, Topics in Peninsular Literature and Culture, and Directed Readings in Spanish are among the electives available. Individuals who don’t require the entire degree also offer a graduate certificate in Spanish. The University of Nebraska MAE in Spanish is a fantastic program for students looking for a cost-effective online master’s degree with fascinating courses, flexible scheduling, and study abroad alternatives.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master’s degree in Spanish translation and interpretation
Total Cost (In-State): $14,255
Total Cost (Out-of-State): $29,447
The online MA in Spanish Translating and Interpreting from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley covers skills in text translation and simultaneous or consecutive interpreting. Legal, medical, financial, and literary translation are the other themes that will be discussed. There are two program tracks available: non-research and research. Translation Theory, Translation Workshop – Spanish to English, and Consecutive Interpreting are among the program’s courses. Medical interpreting and terminology, audiovisual translation, and business and finance translation are examples of electives. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate degree in a comparable discipline and pass the GRE. You may be exempt from these requirements if you have a translation graduate degree or a license. Texas residents pay a lower tuition rate, and international or out-of-state students who receive scholarships or assistantships may also be eligible for resident tuition rates. The MA in Spanish Translation and Interpretation from UTRGV is a wonderful choice for students seeking the finest quality education.
New Mexico State University
Degree: Master of Arts in Spanish
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $14,382
New Mexico State University’s online MA in Spanish offers a choice of two areas of concentration: literature and linguistics. The 36-credit program takes two years to complete and boasts low tuition, with military students receiving additional reductions. Technology Enhanced Language Learning, Advanced Spanish Phonetics, and Spanish Sociolinguistics are among the linguistics courses available. Hispanic Micro Fiction, Methods of Research and Literary Criticism, Advanced Culture and Literature of New Mexico, Advanced U.S.-Hispanic Film, and Contemporary Spanish-American Essay are among the classes offered in the literature track. In addition, students must fulfill a language requirement beyond English and Spanish and will be required to pass a final exam during their last semester. International students are welcome. The NMSU online Spanish MA program is great for students looking for a very affordable online master’s degree in Spanish that allows choice in coursework and top-notch education.
Job and salary outlook for people with a degree in Spanish
The expected growth of translation and interpreter jobs is sitting at 18 percent, which is extremely high according to the bureau of labor statics. Because of the large number of Spanish speakers worldwide, especially in the United States, Spanish is expected to have incredibly high employment opportunities for translation in the coming years. There will be a high number of English and Spanish speakers who will need to converse. This can be an in-person interpretation or translating:
- books
- documents
- manuals
- audio and more
The table and chart below show the annual wage for interpreters and translators and how much money these professionals make.
Source: US Bureau of labor statistics.
Salary Outlook
| Job title | Annual mean wage |
| Spanish Teacher | $50,953 |
| Human Resources Assistant | $35,295 |
| Account Executive | $66,604 |
| Spanish Interpreter/Translator | $43,722 |
| Recruiter | $54,028 |
| Human Resources Generalist | $52,480 |
