Best colleges for Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 5 U.S. colleges offering Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 4 states.
About Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages programs
The Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages program focuses on the study of languages, literatures, and linguistics from Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of these areas, preparing them for various roles in translation, education, and intercultural communication. Students will engage with a range of languages including Indonesian, Malay, Filipino, Thai, and more. This program is ideal for those who wish to deepen their understanding of these languages and cultures, equipping them with the skills needed for effective communication in a globalized world.
Learn more about Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages →
Core skills in this program include speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Students will also develop critical thinking and learning strategies, alongside knowledge of English and foreign languages. Coursework may cover topics in translation, linguistics, and cultural studies.
Top 5 institutions, 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.
Specializations within Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages
5 of the 11 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.14 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Filipino/CIP 16.1404
Tagalog Language and Literature limited data13 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states - Hawaiian Language and LiteratureCIP 16.1409New in CIP 2020limited data12 graduates / yr2 institutions1 states
- Vietnamese Language and LiteratureCIP 16.1408limited data8 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Southeast Asian and Australasian/CIP 16.1499
Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics limited data5 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states - Australian/CIP 16.1401
Oceanic/ Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 11 codes (6 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Southeast Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics16.1400
- Indonesian/
Malay Languages and Literatures16.1402 - Burmese Language and Literature16.1403
- Khmer/
Cambodian Language and Literature16.1405 - Lao Language and Literature16.1406
- Thai Language and Literature16.1407
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 4 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Californialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marshall Islandslimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages program can pursue careers in translation, education, and international relations. 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 typical educational requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.14.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.14 (Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific 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 Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific 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 will I study?+
You will study languages such as Indonesian, Malay, Filipino, Thai, and others from Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop speaking, listening, reading, writing, critical thinking, and learning strategies.
What career opportunities are available?+
Career opportunities include roles in translation, education, and intercultural communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 6,900 annual openings and a median wage of $59,440.
What is the CIP code for Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages?+
Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages maps to CIP 16.14 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.
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