Classical Languages & Literature degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for classical languages & literature students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Classical Languages & Literature School
Where you study classical languages & literature matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Classical Languages & Literature rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Classical Languages & Literature Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Classical Languages & Literature Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Classical Languages & Literature in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the classical languages & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Stanford University tops our 2027 ranking of the best classical languages & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at Stanford University
Students looking for a strong classical languages & literature program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from Columbia University In The City Of New York
A rank of #3 makes Yale University one of the top schools for classical languages & literature. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
See the full classical languages & literature program report for Yale University
Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in classical languages & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from Princeton University
Villanova University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best classical languages & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 21 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $72,601 in their early career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans.
See the full classical languages & literature program report for Villanova University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #6 for classical languages & literature this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 16 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn around $60,523 in the first couple years of their career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,560 in student loans.
See the full classical languages & literature program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
College Of The Holy Cross came in at #7 for classical languages & literature this year. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent data year. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $51,478 early in their careers. College Of The Holy Cross graduates carry a median of $26,387 in student loans.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from College Of The Holy Cross
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best classical languages & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 16 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $56,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best classical languages & literature schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 11 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $50,876 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,444.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best classical languages & literature schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 16 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $57,819 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #11 for classical languages & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 24 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Kansas placed #12 among the best classical languages & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 17 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $56,289 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for University Of Kansas
University Of Arizona placed #13 among the best classical languages & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from University Of Arizona
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best classical languages & literature schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 15 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
See the full classical languages & literature program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Florida State University placed #15 among the best classical languages & literature schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 37 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Students borrow a median of $19,633 to complete this degree.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for Florida State University
St Johns College New Mexico came in at #16 for classical languages & literature this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, St Johns College New Mexico is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at St Johns College New Mexico in the most recent data year. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of St Johns College New Mexico earn a median of $23,029 early in their careers. St Johns College New Mexico graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full classical languages & literature program report for St Johns College New Mexico
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
