by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 5 U.S. colleges awarded 39 degrees and certificates in Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 54% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Its 3 related occupations pay an average median salary of $56,790 a year.
Southeast Asia is home to over 2,500 of different languages and a rich, diverse culture. This region includes mainland Southeast Asia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Majoring in Southeast Asian and Pacific Languages will provide an education in the various dialects of these countries, as well as geography, economics, politics, and cultural aspects that shape the region.
Students typically choose a concentration focusing on one area or language. Some of the concentrations you can choose include Australian, Indonesian or Malay, Burmese, Filipino, Cambodian, Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese Languages. Because all the concentrations are all different, most of the classes will not be the same; however some general classes include Art of Southeast Asia, Asian History, Asian literature, Asian Thought and Cultures, and Asian Traditions.
A major in Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages involves the study of Southeast Asian And Australasian/pacific Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, southeast asian & pacific languages draws strong interest, with 39 degrees awarded annually. 5 colleges award southeast asian & pacific languages degrees, an average of 8 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 23.
By level, the 39 awards include 1 certificates, 8 associate degrees, 21 bachelor’s degrees, 7 master’s degrees and 2 doctorates.
Women earned 49% of southeast asian & pacific languages degrees and certificates in the latest year (19 of 39). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Asian (24) and multiracial (6).
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks southeast asian & pacific languages schools within 1 state. In all, 5 colleges offer southeast asian & pacific languages programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common southeast asian & pacific languages credential is the bachelor’s degree: 21 of the 39 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to southeast asian & pacific languages call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Foreign Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Clarity, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Students should have an interest in the Southeast Asian region, an ear for language and the patience to learn another language, master grammar, pronunciation and spelling. Much of your time will be spent studying the history, literature and culture of the region. This makes it an ideal major for students who loves art and storytelling.
You may be able to prepare for this major while still in high school by taking courses in Language, World History, World Religions, and English. There are opportunities for study abroad programs at some institutions. This would allow student to practice their lingual skills and experience the culture first hand.
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How long a southeast asian & pacific languages degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 8 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 21 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to southeast asian & pacific languages, at 40.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 40.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.6% |
| Master’s degree | 20.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages, 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 Language Teacher, Hebrew Teacher, Language Instructor and French Teacher.
A degree in Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages can lead to many different career opportunities. If you are interested in teaching, there are for positions in Postsecondary and Adult Education. You would have the opportunity to teach Southeast Asian & Pacific dialect, along with culture and history. You also may be interested in becoming an ESL teacher.
Another option is to become a translator or interpreter. Translators and interpreters are in high demand because of growing business between nations. If you are interested in Foreign Service, you can become a Foreign Service Officer. These officers endorse American business and political interest and give information and aid about their countries to the U.S policymakers. They arrange cultural exchanges, and help Americans travel abroad.
The occupation related to southeast asian & pacific languages 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% |
The highest-paying occupation related to southeast asian & pacific languages 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 |
Southeast Asian & Pacific Languages includes 5 concentrations that together award 39 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Filipino/Tagalog Language and Literature (13), Hawaiian Language and Literature (12) and Vietnamese Language and Literature (8). It has 16 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 29,132 degrees a year; the largest are Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (12,344), Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (7,420) and American Sign Language (2,471). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
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