2026 Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools in California
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for japanese language & literature students.
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2026 Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools in California
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
San Diego Mesa College tops our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in japanese language & literature will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #3. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $9,191. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in japanese language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in japanese language & literature will find it at Long Beach City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Diablo Valley College came in at #6 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $9,205. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #7 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $10,332. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College placed #8 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College earned the #9 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $10,763. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #11 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $14,108. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $19,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #12 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,900 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #14 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #15 among the best values for japanese language & literature. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of California Davis earned the #16 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $15,375. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $28,997. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
