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East Asian Languages

East Asian Languages graduates earn $51,642 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,068 and $74,398. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About East Asian Languages

East Asian Languages is a focused area of study within Languages. Graduates typically earn around $51,642 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 205 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,056 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $27,331
Median Earnings · 4yr: $51,642
Colleges Offering: 205
Graduates / Year: 2,056
Avg Net Price / yr: $19,356

How Much Do East Asian Languages Graduates Earn?

East Asian Languages graduates earn $51,642 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,068 and $74,398. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $27,331 climbs to $51,642 by year four.

$27,331

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$51,642

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$52,010

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across East Asian Languages graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$32,068 25th pct.

$51,642 Median

$74,398 75th pct.

A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $51,642 and an estimated $77,424 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.6 years.

Based on outcomes from 167 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 2,056 students who complete East Asian Languages programs each year, the majority (71%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

71%

Bachelor's 71%

Associate's 12%

Master's 9%

What Can You Do With an East Asian Languages Degree?

East Asian Languages connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers leads at $79,350/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↘ -0.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers

$79,350

$63K $103K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,900 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Speaking Learning Strategies Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

↘ -1.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Secondary School Teacher

$72,040

$60K $93K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 66,200 openings/yr 1.1M employed nationally

Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Learning Strategies Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.

↗ +1.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Interpreters and Translators

$60,170

$47K $81K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 6,900 openings/yr 52K employed nationally

Speaking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Writing Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.

Top Colleges for East Asian Languages

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many East Asian Languages students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI · Public	85	86.6%	$15,664	$57,624
2	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	51	9%	$12,548	$82,511
3	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit	50	4%	$21,590	$102,491
4	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN · Public	46	79.8%	$16,778	$69,020
5	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	41	39.2%	$14,091	$78,466
6	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public	38	60.6%	$17,339	$60,409
7	University of Oregon Eugene, OR · Public	35	88.3%	$22,182	$61,324
8	San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA · Public	35	96.4%	$12,278	$68,077
9	Drexel University Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit	35	79.4%	$38,509	$84,648
10	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN · Public	34	78.2%	$16,264	$63,742
11	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public	30	45.2%	$17,354	$73,792
12	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit	30	5.4%	$28,699	$111,371
13	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public	28	89.9%	$14,967	$62,668
14	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ · Public	26	58.2%	$24,406	$74,479
15	Brigham Young University Provo, UT · Nonprofit	26	67.8%	$15,564	$75,790
16	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public	26	59.7%	$22,383	$71,631
17	CUNY Hunter College New York, NY · Public	24	53.8%	$2,984	$63,163
18	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public	23	78.1%	$25,346	$69,738
19	University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC · Public	23	79.6%	$15,435	$57,289
20	University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit	23	9.8%	$32,740	$92,498

View all colleges

Ranked by East Asian Languages graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a East Asian Languages program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a East Asian Languages degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

East Asian Languages Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on East Asian Languages shows 2 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $27,331 at graduation to $51,642 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 75,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $51,642 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas 2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($32,068) and 75th ($74,398) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

East Asian Languages Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do East Asian Languages graduates earn?

East Asian Languages graduates earn a national median of $51,642 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,068 and $74,398. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a East Asian Languages degree?

One year after graduation, East Asian Languages degree holders earn a median of $27,331. That climbs to $51,642 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a East Asian Languages degree?

East Asian Languages degree holders pursue careers including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, which pays a median of $79,350/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a East Asian Languages program take?

A East Asian Languages bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer East Asian Languages?

205 colleges and universities in the United States offer East Asian Languages programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a East Asian Languages degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $51,642 and an average net price of roughly $19,356/yr, a East Asian Languages degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between East Asian Languages and Languages?

East Asian Languages is a focused concentration within the broader Languages field. The Languages major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to East Asian Languages-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in East Asian Languages graduates?

Employers hiring East Asian Languages graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for East Asian Languages graduates?

The job outlook for East Asian Languages graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of 0.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Interpreters and Translators is among the strongest-growth roles at +1.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.