Japanese Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Japanese Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to the comprehensive exploration of Japan’s historical evolution, social structures, political systems, cultural expressions, and economic development. This program provides a deep understanding of Japan’s role in East Asia and its global influence, drawing on insights from multiple scholarly traditions.
- Japanese History: Traces the development of Japanese civilization from ancient times through modern eras, including pivotal events such as the Meiji Restoration and post-World War II reconstruction.
- Social Structures: Examines the organization of Japanese society, including family systems, class dynamics, gender roles, and demographic shifts across time and region.
- Political Systems: Analyzes Japan’s governmental institutions, constitutional framework, policy-making processes, and its position within international diplomacy and regional security.
- Cultural Traditions: Investigates literature, visual arts, performing arts, religious practices, and media to understand the values, aesthetics, and identity embedded in Japanese culture.
- Economic Development: Studies Japan’s industrialization, technological innovation, global trade strategies, and economic challenges, including long-term growth patterns and structural reforms.
- Regional Interconnections: Explores Japan’s relationships with neighboring island groups and coastal regions, including cultural exchanges, historical conflicts, and geopolitical dynamics in East Asia.
Japanese Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Japanese Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Japanese Studies degrees, including Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
Japanese Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,920 in Florida to $113,070 in California—a 83% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Vermont, and Kansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 11,430 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Japanese Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Japanese Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Japanese Studies is found at University of California (UCSD), San Diego (13 graduates), Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) (10 graduates), Furman University (10 graduates), University of Hawaii (UHH), Hilo (5 graduates), and Hope College (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 64 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Other Award
|
10 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| Furman University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | furman.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHH) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Hilo, Hawaii | Public | hilo.hawaii.edu |
| Hope College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Holland, Michigan | Private | hope.edu |
| Willamette University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Salem, Oregon | Private | willamette.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Earlham College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Richmond, Indiana | Private | earlham.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
3 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Gettysburg College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | Private | gettysburg.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| Adrian College |
Associate's
|
1 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | adrian.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| University of Guam (UOG) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mangilao, Guam | Public | uog.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Japanese Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Japanese Studies degree?
Salaries for Japanese Studies graduates vary by role and location. Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,290 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $113,070 compared to $61,920 in Florida. Approximately 11,430 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Japanese Studies programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Japanese Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSD), San Diego (13 graduates), Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) (10 graduates), and Furman University (10 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Japanese Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 71 in 2010 to a peak of 74 in 2020, before declining slightly to 64 in 2023-24. This represents a 10% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Japanese Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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