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2025 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools

109 Colleges in the United States
8,146 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$28,766 Avg Early-Career Salary
Linguistics & Comparative Literature is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #96 most popular degree program in the country. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 109 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 8,146 degrees in linguistics & comparative literature to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Linguistics & Comparative Literature School

Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools Your choice of linguistics & comparative literature school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Linguistics & Comparative Literature School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Linguistics & Comparative Literature Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Comparative Literature
Bachelor's Degrees in Comparative Literature
Master's Degrees in Comparative Literature
Doctor's Degrees in Comparative Literature

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Linguistics & Comparative Literature in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of comparative literature degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

21 Top Schools in Comparative Literature

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
145 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$30,524 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you want to pursue a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 145 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, comparative literature degree recipients usually earn around $30,524 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Los Angeles

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In NY
49 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

It is hard to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you wish to pursue a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 49 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Columbia University in the City of New York

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In GA
60 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Georgia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Georgia Tech is a great school overall.

There were approximately 60 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Tech in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In NY
44 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Any student pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature has to take a look at Cornell University. Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were approximately 44 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Cornell University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In CA
40 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 40 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Southern California

6
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$28,278 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were roughly 55 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program report average early career earnings of $28,278.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Georgetown University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
134 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$27,629 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 134 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the comparative literature program make about $27,629 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Santa Barbara

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
203 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$21,793 Median Starting Salary

UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public university located in the city of Santa Cruz. This university ranks 13th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 203 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UC Santa Cruz in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program report average early career income of $21,793.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Santa Cruz

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
92 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
9.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Amherst, UMass Amherst is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 92 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the comparative literature program make around $20,334 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Massachusetts Amherst

10
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$30,205 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 112 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients usually make an average of $30,205 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Florida

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
4.2% Growth in Graduates

U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were about 48 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the comparative literature program make about $27,699 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
14.3% Growth in Graduates

UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 112 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the comparative literature program make an average of $25,059 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Berkeley

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$25,921 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #41 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 59 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program state that they receive average early career earnings of $25,921.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

14
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
75 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$37,389 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 2nd out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 75 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the linguistics & comparative literature degree program at Virginia Tech get $8,623 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Virginia Tech

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WA
80 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were approximately 80 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In SC

UofSC is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Columbia. This university ranks 1st out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 14 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of South Carolina - Columbia

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
58 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
3.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 58 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the linguistics & comparative literature degree program at The University of Texas at Austin make $3,419 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from The University of Texas at Austin

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DE

UD is a very large public university located in the suburb of Newark. This university ranks 1st out of 3 schools for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

There were approximately 23 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Delaware

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
57 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$26,353 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize suburb of Vestal, Binghamton University is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 15th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 57 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Binghamton University in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program state that they receive average early career income of $26,353.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Binghamton University

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MD

UMCP is a very large public university located in the suburb of College Park. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were roughly 26 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Maryland - College Park

21
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$24,658 Median Starting Salary

UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 46 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the comparative literature program earn around $24,658 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rest of the Top Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools award.

Rank College Location
22 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
23 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
24 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
25 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
26 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
27 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
28 Emory University Atlanta, GA
29 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
30 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
31 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
32 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
33 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
34 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
35 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
36 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO

Linguistics & Comparative Literature by Region

View the Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Linguistics & Comparative Literature is one of 18 different types of Foreign Languages & Linguistics programs to choose from.

Comparative Literature Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Linguistics 3,082
Modern Languages 2,671
Language Translation 1,005
Comparative Literature 941
Other Linguistic, Comparative, & Related Language Studies & Services 251
Applied Linguistics 196

View All Comparative Literature Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Romance Languages 13,644
American Sign Language 2,671
East Asian Languages 2,319
Classical Languages & Literature 1,407
Germanic Languages 1,105
Middle Eastern Semitic Languages 598
Foreign Language, Literature & Linguistics (Other) 518
Slavic, Baltic & Albanian Languages 489
Second Language Learning 234
Native American Languages 48

View All Comparative Literature Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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