by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 122 U.S. colleges awarded 923 degrees and certificates in Japanese Language & Literature. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 65% of graduates. College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Japanese Language & Literature 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.
A major in Japanese Language & Literature involves the study of Japanese Language And Literature. A Program That Focuses On The Japanese Language. Includes Instruction In Philology; Ancient, Medieval, And Modern Japanese; Dialects; And Applications To Business, Science/technology, And Other Settings.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, japanese language & literature is a widely-pursued major, with 923 degrees awarded annually. 122 colleges award japanese language & literature degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 66.
By level, the 923 awards include 2 certificates, 121 associate degrees, 604 bachelor’s degrees, 188 master’s degrees and 6 doctorates.
Women earned 47% of japanese language & literature degrees and certificates in the latest year (433 of 923). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (340) and Asian (208), and international students earned 70.
College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Japanese Language & Literature Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees and 14 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks japanese language & literature schools within 11 states. In all, 122 colleges offer japanese language & literature programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common japanese language & literature credential is the bachelor’s degree: 604 of the 923 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to japanese language & literature 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a japanese language & literature degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 121 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 604 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 188 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to japanese language & literature, at 45.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 45.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Japanese Language & Literature, 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 Teacher, Spanish Teacher, Language Instructor and Language Teacher.
The occupation related to japanese language & literature 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% |
Japanese Language & Literature 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 japanese language & literature 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 |
Japanese Language & Literature has 4 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 1,204 degrees a year; the largest are Chinese Language and Literature (655), East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (337) and Korean Language and Literature (133). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chinese Language and Literature | 655 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 337 |
| Korean Language and Literature | 133 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 79 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
