by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, Japanese language and literature was the 453rd most popular major nationwide with 1,053 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 52 over the prior year, a growth of 4.9%.
This year's Best Japanese Language & Literature Schools ranking compares 47 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom Japanese language rankings further below.
A major in Japanese language prepares you for careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is crucial. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Japanese language and literature degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional Japanese language certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Japanese Language degree levels vary. Japanese Language & Literature programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest Japanese language degree you can get. Depending on the Japanese language and literature degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to Japanese language, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for Japanese language workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 37.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 30.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.6% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 4.3% |
Most workers in Japanese language have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in Japanese language and literature careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the Japanese language career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your Japanese language degree? Japanese Language & Literature careers are expected to grow 15.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to Japanese language and literature.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | 80,300 | 17.7% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | 39,100 | 11.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for Japanese language graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for Japanese language and literature graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers Japanese language grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Professors | $79,160 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,230 |
With over 229 different Japanese language degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased Japanese language school rankings to help you with this.
Japanese Language & Literature is one of 4 different types of East Asian Languages programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chinese Language & Literature | 718 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General | 292 |
| Korean Language & Literature | 117 |
| Other East Asian Languages | 113 |
