Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

Best East Asian Languages institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 170 U.S. colleges offering East Asian Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 40 states.

Institutions
170
offering CIP 16.03
States offered
40
with a program page
With earnings data
21
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
1,773
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$27,331
1 year after graduation
US pay · Interpreters and Translators
$64,950
BLS OEWS 2024

About East Asian Languages programs

The East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics program offers students a comprehensive understanding of East Asia's rich cultural heritage, language, and history. This multidisciplinary field encourages exploration of various aspects of East Asian societies, making it ideal for those interested in pursuing careers in international relations, education, or cultural exchange. Students can specialize in specific languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Tibetan, providing them with the linguistic skills and cultural insights necessary for effective communication and engagement in East Asian contexts. This program is perfect for individuals passionate about language, literature, and the diverse cultures of East Asia.

Learn more about East Asian Languages

What you'll learn

In the East Asian Languages program, students develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes language acquisition, translation techniques, and cultural studies, equipping students with the knowledge needed to navigate and appreciate the complexities of East Asian languages and societies.

Top 21 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$71,769695%$19,452$21,040
2University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,0701289%
3Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,0271886%$17,100
4Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,513567%
5North Central College
Naperville, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$29,594464%$20,052
6University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,2193085%$18,463
7University of California - Davis
Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,9972186%$15,375
8Ohio State University - Main Campus
Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,1094588%$22,500
9Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree
$27,8561281%$20,620
10Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree
$27,3493280%$24,093
11University of Oregon
Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree
$27,3311372%$21,201
12St Olaf College
Northfield, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,328984%$18,124$22,602
13CUNY Hunter College
New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree
$26,5712357%
14University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,457985%
15Portland State University
Portland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,2621153%$25,500
16University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,8251469%$28,313
17University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,4518364%$18,076
18University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,9803293%$13,900
19The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,7016789%$20,750
20San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$19,8612050%$14,108
21San Diego State University
San Diego, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$17,464976%

Offered across 40 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the East Asian Languages program can pursue various careers, including translation, education, and international business. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions and a median wage of $59,440. A bachelor's degree is typically required for entry into this field.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+1.7%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~6,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$59,440
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
53,360
Interpreters and Translators
US average pay
$64,950
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$59,440
annual

Top-paying metros

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
$94,460avg
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$92,050avg
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$91,010avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$87,030avg
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
$86,460avg

Related careers

Interpreters and Translators
$64,950 avg · 53,360 jobs
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$87,670 avg · 21,170 jobs

Skills & knowledge in East Asian Languages programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

English Language
Foreign Language
Customer and Personal Service
Education and Training
Administrative
Public Safety and Security

What graduates do on the job

  • Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
  • Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
  • Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
  • Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
  • Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.

Tools & technology

AceTools.biz Ace TranslatorAdapt ItAmoK TranslatorAshkon Translation PadBabylon Online TranslatorDocTranslateElectronic dictionariesExcelTrans Translator

Concentrations within East Asian Languages

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
    CIP 16.0300

    A general program that focuses on one or more of the languages of East Asia, including, but not limited to, the Sino-Tibetan, Japanese, and Korean languages

  • Chinese Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0301

    A program that focuses on the languages of China and associated dialects and literature

  • Japanese Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0302

    A program that focuses on the Japanese language

  • Korean Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0303

    A program that focuses on the Korean language

  • Tibetan Language and Literature
    CIP 16.0304

    A program that focuses on the Tibetan language

  • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
    CIP 16.0399

    Any instructional program in East Asian languages, literatures, and linguistics not listed above.

Common questions

What languages can I study in this program?+

You can specialize in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, or pursue a general focus in East Asian Languages.

What skills will I gain from this program?+

You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and critical thinking.

What careers can I pursue after graduation?+

Graduates can work in translation, education, international relations, and cultural exchange.

What is the job outlook for this field?+

The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

Zoom outAll programs

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card