2026 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.
College Factual analyzed 146 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value japanese language & literature schools.
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2026 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 earned the #1 spot for value among japanese language & literature schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $11,091. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $26,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in japanese language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $16,539. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in japanese language & literature will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in japanese language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $20,798. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #6 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $14,108 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $19,861. Set against $14,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $16,481. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,980 early in their careers. Set against $13,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $18,076 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. 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 California Berkeley placed #10 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #13 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College landed the #14 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $53,652. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #15 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #16 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $33,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #17 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $24,093 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $27,349 early in their careers. Set against $24,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $28,313 in student loans. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $24,825. Set against $28,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $22,500. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $28,109. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Western Washington University placed #20 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $41,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #21 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $23,701. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $20,620. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $27,856. Set against $20,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #23 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Middlebury College placed #24 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $54,713. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 146 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
