by our College Data Analytics TeamAsian culture has survived for over three thousand centuries, and its influence has expanded far past Asia. By majoring in East Asian Languages you will learn various Asian dialects, along with Asian grammar and literature. In addition, there will be classes on East Asian philosophy, religion, and applications to business and technology.
Concentrations within this major would include Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Tibetan Languages and Literature. Depending on which concentration you choice, you will be taking courses in Japanese, Korean, Japanese, and Tibetan (beginning, intermediate, and advanced), Chinese history, Korean Art, Buddhist studies, and Modern Chinese film.
A major in East Asian Languages covers East Asian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. Read on to learn the important information every east asian languages major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering east asian languages programs.
Across the country, east asian languages is a widely-pursued major, with 2,111 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best East Asian Languages Schools ranking analyzes these 179 schools to determine the best overall colleges for east asian languages students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of east asian languages programs later in this article.
Programs in East Asian Languages develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations east asian languages graduates commonly enter.
East Asian languages can be challenging for English speakers to learn because the characters and pronunciation are so different. Patience and persistence are important to find success in this field. The complex characters that make up the written language rely on precise handwork, making an eye for detail essential.
In order to prepare for this major, students are advised to take courses in World History, English, World Religion, and Government. These courses will help student understand the fundamentals of East Asian Languages. 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.
The skill set emphasized by a east asian languages program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a east asian languages major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several east asian languages 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 36 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 220 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,316 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 460 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 63 |
People currently working in careers related to east asian languages tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 30.0% |
| Master’s degree | 15.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in east asian languages careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in East Asian Languages can lead to many different career opportunities. If you are interested in teaching, there are positions in Postsecondary and Adult Education. You would have the opportunity to teach an East Asian Language or English, along with culture and history. Another option is to become a translator. Translators 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 interests and give information and aid about their countries to the U.S policymakers. They arrange cultural exchanges, and help Americans travel abroad.
Majoring in east asian languages can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to east asian languages.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to east asian languages.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of east asian languages graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,756 |
| 4 years | $45,953 |
| 5 years | $53,377 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for east asian languages graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers east asian languages grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 179 different east asian languages programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased east asian languages school rankings to help you.
Students interested in east asian languages, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
