[Japanese Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/east-asian-languages/japanese-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 146 schools to find the best return on investment for japanese language & literature students.
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Finding the Best Value Japanese Language & Literature School for You
The japanese language & literature program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in japanese language & literature in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $26,571. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in japanese language & literature will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in japanese language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #4 place for japanese language & literature. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $9,191. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Irvine Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #6 spot for japanese language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University earned the #7 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Foothill College came in at #8 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $11,595. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Irvine earned the #9 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $16,539. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Long Beach City College came in at #10 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #11 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University placed #13 among the best values for japanese language & literature. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Utah placed #14 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University placed #15 among the best values for japanese language & literature. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $14,108 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $19,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Los Angeles City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $10,763. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #17 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #18 among the best values for japanese language & literature. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,900 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #19 position for value in japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $18,076. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $24,451. That is a strong return on a $18,076 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #20 for value in japanese language & literature this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for japanese language & literature graduates is $14,238. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #21 for value in japanese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Japanese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career japanese language & literature graduates make about $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value japanese language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $49,032. That is a strong return on a $14,622 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of California Davis came in at #23 for value in japanese language & literature this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $28,997 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #24 among the best values for japanese language & literature. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, japanese language & literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Williams College placed #25 among the best values for japanese language & literature. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete the japanese language & literature program here. Japanese Language & Literature graduates of Williams College earn a median of $53,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in japanese language & literature:
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Japanese Language & Literature Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Japanese Language & Literature. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 146 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Japanese Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/east-asian-languages/japanese-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
