[East Asian Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/east-asian-languages/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong east asian languages education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 204 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for east asian languages students.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Finding the Best Value East Asian Languages School for You
The right east asian languages school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value East Asian Languages Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value East Asian Languages 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.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among east asian languages schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the east asian languages program here. East Asian Languages graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $26,571 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for east asian languages. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the east asian languages program here. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. East Asian Languages graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. East Asian Languages graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Weber State University came in at #6 for value in east asian languages this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $19,176. East Asian Languages graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #8 position for value in east asian languages this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. East Asian Languages graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. East Asian Languages 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.
Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,100 to complete the east asian languages program here. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,027. Set against $17,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for value in east asian languages this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the east asian languages program here. Early-career east asian languages 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.
Foothill College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. East Asian Languages graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. East Asian Languages graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
San Jose State University landed the #12 spot for east asian languages value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Community College District came in at #13 for value in east asian languages this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $14,519. Early-career east asian languages graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #14 spot for east asian languages value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the east asian languages program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
University Of Utah placed #16 among the best values for east asian languages. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
San Francisco State University came in at #17 for value in east asian languages this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $14,108. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $19,861. Set against $14,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. East Asian Languages graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. East Asian Languages graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #19 among the best values for east asian languages. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,900 to complete the east asian languages program here. East Asian Languages graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value east asian languages schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. East Asian Languages graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career east asian languages graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Los Angeles City College landed the #21 spot for east asian languages value this year. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $10,763. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #22 spot for east asian languages value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the east asian languages program here. East Asian Languages graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #23 position for value in east asian languages this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for east asian languages graduates is $18,076. Soon after graduation, east asian languages degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $24,451. Set against $18,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #24 among the best values for east asian languages. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the east asian languages program here. East Asian Languages graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. Set against $14,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #25 spot for east asian languages value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. East Asian Languages graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. East Asian Languages graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value East Asian Languages Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for east asian languages this year:
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 · 204 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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).
[East Asian Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/east-asian-languages/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong east asian languages education at a price that pays off.
