by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Asian Studies covers Asian Studies/civilization. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Of The Asian Continent, Including The Study Of The Asian Diasporas Overseas. Continue reading for the key facts every asian studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering asian studies programs.
In the U.S., asian studies is a widely-pursued major, with 705 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Asian Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 105 schools to determine the best overall colleges for asian studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of asian studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Asian Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations asian studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a asian studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a asian studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several asian studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 574 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 127 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to asian studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in asian studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in asian studies opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to asian studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to asian studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of asian studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,815 |
| 4 years | $54,317 |
| 5 years | $64,382 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for asian studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers asian studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 105 different asian studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased asian studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in asian studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American/United States Studies/Civilization | 1,156 |
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 680 |
| Area Studies, Other | 630 |
| East Asian Studies | 581 |
| Latin American Studies | 498 |
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 317 |
| African Studies | 209 |
| French Studies | 143 |
| Russian Studies | 124 |
| European Studies/Civilization | 111 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
