by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Japanese Language & Literature involves the study of Japanese Language And Literature. A Program That Focuses On The Japanese Language. Includes Instruction In Philology; Ancient, Medieval, And Modern Japanese; Dialects; And Applications To Business, Science/technology, And Other Settings. Read on to learn the key facts every japanese language & literature student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering japanese language & literature programs.
Across the country, japanese language & literature is a widely-pursued major, with 920 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Japanese Language & Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 127 schools to determine the best overall colleges for japanese language & literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of japanese language & literature programs later in this article.
Programs in Japanese Language & Literature emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations japanese language & literature graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a japanese language & literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a japanese language & literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several japanese language & literature 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 | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 142 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 583 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 173 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to japanese language & literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 45.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in japanese language & literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying japanese language & literature can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to japanese language & literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to japanese language & literature.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of japanese language & literature graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 japanese language & literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers japanese language & literature 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 127 different japanese language & literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased japanese language & literature school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in japanese language & literature, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chinese Language and Literature | 626 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 329 |
| Korean Language and Literature | 145 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | 91 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
