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Best Value East Asian Languages Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY Queens College delivers the most affordable East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics education at just $3,830 net cost, while the University of Maryland-College Park produces the highest-earning graduates at $50,856 annually. This dramatic $47,026 earnings gap reflects the field's varied career paths, from translation services to international business roles. The West Coast dominates this academic space, with California schools like UC Irvine and Long Beach State offering strong programs that connect students to Asia-Pacific trade networks and tech companies requiring language expertise. Public universities control 14 of the top 15 value spots, with only Brigham Young University breaking into the rankings as a private option at $14,487 net cost. Florida emerges as an unexpected leader, placing both the University of Florida and Florida State in the top tier with graduation rates above 83% and costs under $11,000.
50
Programs
$3,830 – $39,951
Net Price Range
$30,626
Avg. Program Earnings
75.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,351 $42,682 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
2 $3,830 $20,140 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
3 $15,590 $50,856 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
4 $8,931 $25,194 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
5 $14,487 $39,153 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
6 $12,840 $32,925 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
7 $16,928 $42,682 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
8 $12,882 $31,848 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
9 $14,013 $33,993 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
10 $13,181 $31,462 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
11 $13,670 $31,305 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
12 $13,485 $29,685 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
13 $10,997 $23,649 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
14 $15,288 $30,988 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
15 $19,678 $39,369 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
16 $18,292 $34,704 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
17 $17,084 $28,598 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
18 $27,823 $45,715 $62,693 96.8% 12.9%
19 $20,751 $32,925 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
20 $15,898 $25,194 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
21 $15,342 $23,579 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
22 $31,927 $46,478 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
23 $21,782 $30,984 $15,669 71.5% 86.3%
24 $14,745 $20,140 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
25 $23,691 $31,314 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
26 $17,139 $21,781 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
27 $18,486 $19,455 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
28 $17,218 $15,922 $13,212 69.9% 94.9%
29 $30,074 $15,922 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
30 $38,182 $20,140 $67,805 89.1% 18.7%
31 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
32 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
33 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
34 $33,549 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
35 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
36 $14,487 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%
37 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
38 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
39 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
40 $32,191 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
41 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
42 $39,951 $67,020 75.9% 30.8%
43 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
44 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
45 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
46 $29,383 $69,330 86.8% 34.3%
47 $23,731 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%
48 $38,909 $64,671 87.0% 27.4%
49 $28,746 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
50 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $30,716 earnings difference between Maryland and Queens College graduates?

The University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn $50,856 compared to CUNY Queens College's $20,140, reflecting different regional job markets and program focus areas. Maryland's proximity to Washington DC creates access to federal agencies, international organizations, and diplomatic corps positions that typically offer higher salaries. The 88.6% graduation rate at Maryland versus 60.2% at Queens College also suggests different levels of program completion and career preparation. Geographic location plays a major role in post-graduation opportunities within this field.

How do California schools compare in terms of value and selectivity?

UCLA stands as the most selective California option with just 8.57% acceptance rate, while San Francisco State accepts 94.20% of applicants. UC Irvine offers middle ground at 21.15% acceptance with $32,925 graduate earnings and $12,840 net cost. Long Beach State provides the best California value at $8,931 net cost with 69.9% graduation rate. The earnings range across California schools spans from $25,194 to $33,993, showing relatively consistent outcomes despite varying selectivity levels.

Is the University of Florida's $6,351 net cost sustainable given its outcomes?

Florida's combination of $6,351 net cost, $42,682 graduate earnings, and 91.5% graduation rate creates strong value in this field. The 23.35% acceptance rate indicates selectivity while maintaining affordability for in-state students at $6,381. This cost-to-earnings ratio of roughly 1:7 ranks among the strongest in the dataset. Florida's growing international business sector and tourism industry provide practical applications for East Asian language skills, supporting graduate employment prospects.

Does Brigham Young University justify its private school premium?

BYU charges $14,487 net cost while producing graduates earning $39,153, creating a reasonable return on investment among private options. The 82.2% graduation rate exceeds most public competitors, and the 66.67% acceptance rate offers more accessibility than elite public programs. BYU's strong alumni network and emphasis on international service missions provide unique career preparation advantages. However, several public options like Florida and Wisconsin offer similar earnings potential at significantly lower costs.

Where do graduates typically find employment after completing these programs?

Graduate earnings ranging from $20,140 to $50,856 reflect varied career paths including translation services, international trade, education, and government work. Schools near major metropolitan areas like UCLA ($33,993 earnings) and Maryland ($50,856 earnings) show higher graduate incomes due to access to multinational corporations and federal agencies. The University of Hawaii's $31,462 average reflects the state's unique position as a Pacific Rim business center. Tech companies increasingly value East Asian language skills for market expansion, particularly benefiting graduates from California and Washington programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.