East Asian Languagesat San Francisco State University
Graduates earn $19,861/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national East Asian Languages average. Base-case 10-year earnings $574K; scenarios range from $518K to $585K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at SF State
This program offers a strong foundation in a region with deep cultural and economic connections to East Asia, which is a significant asset. However, the initial career landscape can be challenging. Many graduates find roles in education, non-profits, or entry-level positions leveraging language skills in international business or local community services. These paths, while rewarding, often don't command high starting salaries, especially when factoring in the exceptionally high cost of living in San Francisco. The increasing capabilities of AI also mean that roles focused purely on translation or basic interpretation face evolving demands. To thrive, you'll need to strategically combine your linguistic expertise with a complementary field like tech, business, policy, or specialized education, ensuring your skills are applied in contexts where human nuance and cultural understanding remain irreplaceable. Network widely within the Bay Area's diverse economy to find these niche opportunities.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to SF State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering East Asian Languages
How SF State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at SF State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at SF State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about East Asian Languages at SF State
How does San Francisco State University's East Asian Languages program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for East Asian Languages. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is East Asian Languages to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' East Asian Languages careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 58% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are East Asian Languages earnings lower at San Francisco State University?
Lower starting pay at San Francisco State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.