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Swarthmore College offers the most affordable East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics education in Pennsylvania at $18,686 net price, despite its $62,412 sticker price and 6.93% acceptance rate. The $19,742 gap between Swarthmore and the second-cheapest option at Elizabethtown College reflects the substantial financial aid available at elite institutions. Pennsylvania's growing healthcare and tech sectors, anchored by companies like UPMC and Comcast, increasingly value multilingual professionals who can navigate Asian markets and serve varied patient populations. Temple University provides the most accessible public option at $29,219, while the state's 11 programs range up to $38,428 at Drexel University.
11
Programs
$18,686 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$15,922
Avg. Program Earnings
83.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

11 East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
2 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
3 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
4 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
5 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
6 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
7 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
8 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
9 $32,191 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
10 $33,549 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
11 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Swarthmore's $18,686 net price despite its elite status?

Swarthmore meets 100% of demonstrated financial need through generous aid packages that average over $43,000 per student. The college's $2.1 billion endowment allows it to offer substantial grants that make attendance more affordable than many public universities for qualified students.

How do public universities compare to private colleges for this major?

Temple University charges $29,219 net while University of Pittsburgh costs $30,074, placing both public options in the middle range. Private colleges dominate both the most affordable spot (Swarthmore at $18,686) and most expensive (Drexel at $38,428).

Is the $15,922 median earnings typical for language graduates?

This figure represents early-career earnings and reflects that many language majors pursue graduate school or entry-level positions in education, translation, or international business. Earnings typically increase significantly with experience and additional credentials in specialized fields.

Does Pennsylvania's job market support East Asian language skills?

UPMC's international patient services and Philadelphia's growing Asian American population create demand for bilingual professionals. Major pharmaceutical companies in the state also seek employees who can navigate Asian markets and regulatory environments.

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