Best institutions to study East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
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.
28 U.S. institutions graduated 288 East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 16.0300, a specialization of East Asian Languages (CIP 16.03), and leads most directly to the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC 27-3091).
About East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
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. Includes instruction in philology; linguistics; dialects and pidgins; literature; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The East Asian Languages program focuses on the languages of East Asia, including Sino-Tibetan, Japanese, and Korean languages. This general program is designed for students interested in linguistics, literature, and cultural studies, providing a comprehensive understanding of East Asian languages and their applications in various fields. Students will engage in philology, dialects, and the integration of language skills into business and technology contexts.
Learn more about East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics →
Core coursework includes speaking, reading comprehension, and writing in East Asian languages, along with critical thinking and active learning strategies. Students will also gain knowledge in linguistics and cultural contexts, enhancing their ability to communicate effectively across cultures.
Credentials awarded
What East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree131 graduates / yr · 15 institutions46%
- Master's degree92 graduates / yr · 13 institutions32%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship36 graduates / yr · 13 institutions13%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years22 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.6%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 307 |
| 2013 | 299 |
| 2014 | 278 |
| 2015 | 284 |
| 2016 | 276 |
| 2017 | 272 |
| 2018 | 289 |
| 2019 | 292 |
| 2020 | 277 |
| 2021 | 259 |
| 2022 | 269 |
| 2023 | 284 |
| 2024 | 279 |
| 2025 | 288 |
Top 28 institutions for East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor's | 34 | 80% | — | $27,349 |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 34 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 3 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 22 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 5 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 21 | 69% | — | — |
| 6 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 19 | 68% | — | — |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 16 | 89% | — | $23,701 |
| 8 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 15 | 90% | — | — |
| 9 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 14 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 10 | Smith College Northampton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 89% | $17,183 | — |
| 11 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 10 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 12 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 85% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 74% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 64% | — | $24,451 |
| 15 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 5 | 84% | — | — |
| 16 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 17 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 18 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor's | 4 | 57% | — | — |
| 19 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 87% | — | — |
| 20 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 83% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 83% | — | — |
| 22 | Wellesley College Wellesley, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 92% | $19,292 | — |
| 23 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 3 | 72% | — | $27,331 |
| 24 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 93% | — | — |
| 25 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 26 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 1 | 65% | — | — |
| 27 | Washington and Lee University Lexington, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 94% | $11,983 | — |
| 28 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader East Asian Languages field (CIP 16.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 19 states
Where East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates come from. Each state links to all East Asian Languages programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 44 | Drexel University22 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 39 | Columbia University in the City of New York34 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 34 | Indiana University - Bloomington34 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 21 | University of Kansas21 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 20 | Smith College14 / yr |
| California | 5 | 19 | University of Southern California10 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 19 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion19 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 16 | The University of Texas at Austin16 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 15 | University of Georgia15 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 14 | Yale University14 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 10 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus10 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 9 | University of Colorado Boulder9 / yr |
| Hawaii | 1 | 9 | University of Hawaii at Manoa9 / yr |
| New Jersey | 2 | 6 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick5 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 4 | Northwestern University4 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 4 | Montana State University4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 3 | University of Oregon3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | Washington University in St Louis1 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | Washington and Lee University1 / yr |
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 careers as interpreters and translators, with a median wage of $59,440. The job outlook shows little to no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,900 positions, typically requiring a bachelor's degree for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 16.0300
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interpreters and Translatorsprimary SOC 27-3091 | $60,170 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~6,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1124 | $79,350 | -0.2% Little or no change | ~1,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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 and technology used
Other East Asian Languages specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under East Asian Languages (CIP 16.03).
- Japanese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0302783 graduates / yr117 institutions
- Chinese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0301524 graduates / yr100 institutions
- Korean Language and LiteratureCIP 16.0303120 graduates / yr20 institutions
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.0399partial data64 graduates / yr6 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as an award of less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as interpreters, translators, or language teachers at various educational levels.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is stable, with an annual opening of about 6,900 positions and a growth rate of 1.7%.
What is the CIP code for East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics?+
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics is CIP 16.0300 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within East Asian Languages (CIP 16.03). NCES defines it as: 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. Includes instruction in philology; linguistics; dialects and pidgins; literature; and applications to business, science/technology, and other settings.
How many institutions offer East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics programs?+
28 U.S. institutions reported East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states, awarding 288 credentials in the year. That is 16.2% of all East Asian Languages graduates.
How much do East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Interpreters and Translators occupation, which East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,170 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader East Asian Languages field report median earnings of $27,331 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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