2027 Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Japanese Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/east-asian-languages/japanese-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for japanese language & literature students.
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2027 Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the japanese language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $26,571 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place for japanese language & literature. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $14,238. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in japanese language & literature will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $13,900. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Francisco State University earned it the #5 place for japanese language & literature. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,108 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $19,861 early in their careers. Set against $14,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $15,375. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $28,997 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Portland State University placed #8 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $25,262. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in japanese language & literature this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #10 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $20,836. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $33,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #12 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #13 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $18,076. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $24,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Texas earned the #14 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #15 for value in japanese language & literature this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $21,813. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $28,313 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $24,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $24,093. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $27,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $22,500. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $28,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $20,750. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $23,701. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Western Washington University landed the #20 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #21 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Oregon landed the #22 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,201 in student loans. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $27,331. That is a strong return on a $21,201 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #23 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $58,402. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #24 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #25 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $25,457. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Other Japanese Language & Literature Degree Levels
Explore the best-value japanese language & literature schools at other degree levels:
View All Japanese Language & Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.