by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Southeast Asian Studies explores Southeast Asian Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Of Southeast Asia, Defined As Including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, And Viet Nam; Related Borderlands And Island Groups; And Including The Study Of Migration Patterns And Overseas Diasporas. Read on to learn the essential details every southeast asian studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering southeast asian studies programs.
Across the country, southeast asian studies is a widely-pursued major, with 11 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Southeast Asian Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for southeast asian studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of southeast asian studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Southeast Asian Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations southeast asian studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a southeast asian studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a southeast asian studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several southeast 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11 |
People currently working in careers related to southeast 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in southeast asian studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in southeast asian studies opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to southeast asian studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to southeast 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 southeast 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 southeast asian studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers southeast asian studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 3 different southeast asian studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased southeast asian studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in southeast 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 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 705 |
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
