2026 Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools
[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.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
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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2026 Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the japanese language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Japanese Language & Literature Schools
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:
Narrow Japanese Language & Literature Schools by Region
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Japanese Language & Literature. See all related rankings.
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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
