by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 180 U.S. colleges awarded 2,127 degrees and certificates in East Asian Languages. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 62% of graduates. College Factual ranks 51 schools in its 2027 Best East Asian Languages Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,756 one year after completing, rising to $51,776 after four years.
Asian culture has survived for over three thousand centuries, and its influence has expanded far past Asia. By majoring in East Asian Languages you will learn various Asian dialects, along with Asian grammar and literature. In addition, there will be classes on East Asian philosophy, religion, and applications to business and technology.
Concentrations within this major would include Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Tibetan Languages and Literature. Depending on which concentration you choice, you will be taking courses in Japanese, Korean, Japanese, and Tibetan (beginning, intermediate, and advanced), Chinese history, Korean Art, Buddhist studies, and Modern Chinese film.
A major in East Asian Languages covers East Asian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, east asian languages is a widely-pursued major, with 2,127 degrees awarded annually. 180 colleges award east asian languages degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 82.
By level, the 2,127 awards include 36 certificates, 192 associate degrees, 1,314 bachelor’s degrees, 505 master’s degrees and 67 doctorates.
Women earned 57% of east asian languages degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,204 of 2,127). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (800) and Asian (533), and international students earned 226.
College Factual ranks 51 schools in its 2027 Best East Asian Languages Schools ranking, including 8 for associate degrees, 33 for bachelor’s degrees and 4 for master’s degrees. It also ranks east asian languages schools within 19 states. In all, 180 colleges offer east asian languages programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value East Asian Languages Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common east asian languages credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,314 of the 2,127 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to east asian languages call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Foreign Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
East Asian languages can be challenging for English speakers to learn because the characters and pronunciation are so different. Patience and persistence are important to find success in this field. The complex characters that make up the written language rely on precise handwork, making an eye for detail essential.
In order to prepare for this major, students are advised to take courses in World History, English, World Religion, and Government. These courses will help student understand the fundamentals of East Asian Languages. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture first hand.
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How long an east asian languages degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 36 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 192 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,314 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 505 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 67 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to east asian languages, at 43.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 30.0% |
| Master’s degree | 15.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to East Asian Languages, with an average median salary of $56,790; the strongest outlook belongs to Interpreters and Translators, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Language Instructor, Language Arts Teacher, French Teacher and Spanish Teacher.
A degree in East Asian Languages can lead to many different career opportunities. If you are interested in teaching, there are positions in Postsecondary and Adult Education. You would have the opportunity to teach an East Asian Language or English, along with culture and history. Another option is to become a translator. Translators are in high demand because of growing business between nations. If you are interested in Foreign Service, you can become a Foreign Service Officer. These officers endorse American business and political interests and give information and aid about their countries to the U.S policymakers. They arrange cultural exchanges, and help Americans travel abroad.
The occupation related to east asian languages with the most projected jobs is Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 629,317.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
East Asian Languages graduates earn a median $27,756 one year after completing their program, $51,776 after four years and $53,377 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,756 |
| 4 years | $51,776 |
| 5 years | $53,377 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to east asian languages is Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, with a median salary of $77,927.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
East Asian Languages includes 5 concentrations that together award 2,127 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Japanese Language and Literature (923), Chinese Language and Literature (655) and East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (337). It has 16 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 27,044 degrees a year; the largest are Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (12,344), Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (7,420) and American Sign Language (2,471). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
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