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2026 Best Japanese Language & Literature Schools in California

6 Colleges in the United States
159 Japanese Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$57,186 Avg Early-Career Salary

Japanese Language & Literature degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for japanese language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Japanese Language & Literature in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the japanese language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Japanese Language & Literature

1

Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 school for japanese language & literature. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 11 japanese language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238. See the full japanese language & literature program report for University Of California Berkeley

2

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in japanese language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 15 japanese language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the japanese language & literature program make about $23,980 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,900 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in japanese language & literature from University Of California Los Angeles

3

Students looking for a strong japanese language & literature program will find one at University Of California Davis, which ranked #3. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 17 japanese language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $28,997. Typical student debt for the program is $15,375. See the full japanese language & literature program report for University Of California Davis

4

California State University Monterey Bay is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in japanese language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 12 japanese language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their japanese language & literature degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $49,032 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,622. See the full japanese language & literature program report for California State University Monterey Bay

5

California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best japanese language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 11 japanese language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their japanese language & literature degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree. Get the full japanese language & literature details for California State University Fullerton

6
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best japanese language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Foothill College awarded about 12 japanese language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. See the full japanese language & literature program report for Foothill College

7
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College landed the #7 spot for japanese language & literature this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 15 japanese language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in japanese language & literature from Diablo Valley College

8

Pasadena City College placed #8 among the best japanese language & literature schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 17 japanese language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. See the full japanese language & literature program report for Pasadena City College

9

City College Of San Francisco earned the #9 position for japanese language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 10 japanese language & literature students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Get the full japanese language & literature details for City College Of San Francisco

10
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #10 for japanese language & literature this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 17 japanese language & literature degrees were awarded at Long Beach City College in the most recent year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Get the full japanese language & literature details for Long Beach City College

11
Los Angeles City College crest
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles City College earned the #11 position for japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. Los Angeles City College awarded about 22 japanese language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Typical student debt for the program is $10,763. See the full japanese language & literature program report for Los Angeles City College

View All Japanese Language & Literature Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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