Best colleges for East Asian Languages
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for East Asian Languages by graduate earnings are University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($29,219), University of California-Davis ($28,997) and Ohio State University ($28,109), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN): $29,219, 32 graduates a year
- University of California-Davis (Davis, CA): $28,997, 26 graduates a year
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH): $28,109, 37 graduates a year
- Indiana University - Bloomington (Bloomington, IN): $27,349, 38 graduates a year
- University of Oregon (Eugene, OR): $27,331, 21 graduates a year
Compare 170 U.S. colleges offering East Asian Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
East Asian Languages programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,331 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 16.03 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
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.
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 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,219 | 32 | 85% | — | $18,463 |
| 2 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,997 | 26 | 86% | — | $15,375 |
| 3 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,109 | 37 | 88% | — | $22,500 |
| 4 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,349 | 38 | 80% | — | $24,093 |
| 5 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,331 | 21 | 72% | — | $21,201 |
| 6 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,571 | 20 | 57% | — | — |
| 7 | Portland State University Portland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,262 | 20 | 53% | — | $25,500 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,825 | 20 | 69% | — | $28,313 |
| 9 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,451 | 65 | 64% | — | $18,076 |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,701 | 82 | 89% | — | $20,750 |
| 11 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,861 | 22 | 50% | — | $14,108 |
| 12 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $71,769 | 4 | 95% | $19,452 | $21,040 |
| 13 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,070 | 11 | 89% | — | — |
| 14 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,027 | 10 | 86% | — | $17,100 |
| 15 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,513 | 9 | 67% | — | — |
| 16 | North Central College Naperville, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,594 | 3 | 64% | $20,052 | — |
| 17 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,856 | 6 | 81% | — | $20,620 |
| 18 | St Olaf College Northfield, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,328 | 9 | 84% | $18,124 | $22,602 |
| 19 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,457 | 11 | 85% | — | — |
| 20 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,980 | 18 | 93% | — | $13,900 |
| 21 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $17,464 | 6 | 76% | — | — |
Specializations within East Asian Languages
5 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Japanese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0302783 graduates / yr117 institutions30 states
- Chinese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0301524 graduates / yr100 institutions35 states
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0300288 graduates / yr28 institutions19 states
- Korean Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0303120 graduates / yr20 institutions14 states
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0399partial data64 graduates / yr6 institutions6 states
Show all 6 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Tibetan Language and Literature16.0304
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 41 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.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for East Asian Languages
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.03 (East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
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
Knowledge areas
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.
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.
How much do East Asian Languages graduates earn?+
East Asian Languages graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $27,331, College Scorecard (2019); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for East Asian Languages?+
East Asian Languages maps to CIP 16.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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