by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 417 U.S. colleges awarded 7,420 degrees and certificates in Linguistics & Comparative Literature. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 63% of graduates. College Factual ranks 189 schools in its 2027 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,314 one year after completing, rising to $53,106 after four years.
The study of Linguistics and Comparative Literature are two separate entities, however they both deal with the examination of dialect and how it has developed and changed over time. If you are fascinated by the structure of language, this would be an ideal major for you. Students will learn language development and relationships among language groups from a humanistic and scientific perspective. Some of the classes you will take are Historical Linguistics, Philosophy of Languages, Phonology and Phonetics, Great Books of Western Culture, Romanticism, and Literature of the Americas.
Depending on the college you choose, different concentrations may be available to you. These include Linguistics, Language Interpretation and Translation, Comparative Literature and Applied Linguistics.
A degree in Linguistics & Comparative Literature explores Linguistic, Comparative, And Related Language Studies And Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, linguistics & comparative literature draws strong interest, with 7,420 degrees awarded annually. 417 colleges award linguistics & comparative literature degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 195.
By level, the 7,420 awards include 102 certificates, 354 associate degrees, 4,666 bachelor’s degrees, 1,863 master’s degrees and 418 doctorates.
Women earned 70% of linguistics & comparative literature degrees and certificates in the latest year (5,206 of 7,420). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,206) and Hispanic or Latino (1,811), and international students earned 834.
College Factual ranks 189 schools in its 2027 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools ranking, including 133 for bachelor’s degrees, 37 for master’s degrees and 12 for doctorates. It also ranks linguistics & comparative literature schools within 40 states. In all, 417 colleges offer linguistics & comparative literature programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common linguistics & comparative literature credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,666 of the 7,420 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to linguistics & comparative literature call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Foreign Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Written Comprehension.
This major is well suited to individuals who are creative, curious and analytical thinkers. You will spend a good amount of time studying the origin and development of language, making a love of reading and writing important. You can prepare for this major ahead of time by taking courses in English Literature, Foreign Languages, English Language, World History, and European History.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a linguistics & comparative literature degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 102 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 354 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,666 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,863 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 418 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to linguistics & comparative literature, at 42.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 42.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.7% |
| Master’s degree | 21.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Linguistics & Comparative Literature, with an average median salary of $58,638; the strongest outlook belongs to English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Language Arts Teacher, Teacher, Professor and Assistant Professor.
A graduate with a degree in Linguistics & Comparative Literature can go into many different career paths. You may find work as a Postsecondary Teacher, Speech-Language Pathologist or an Audiologist. Pathologists and Audiologist help diagnose, treat, and prevent speech and hearing problems. They work directly with the language and the individual development of it.
Graduates can also peruse a career as a translator or interpreter. Translators and interpreters are in high demand because of growing business between nations. You may also choose to become an Anthropologist or Archeologist. Both of these fields examine the past of different cultures. As an Anthropologist you will examine the elements of human culture and society. As an Archeologist, you would examine the relics from the past to recreate the history and culture. Other career paths include Librarian or University Professor. Some of these jobs may require additional education.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to linguistics & comparative literature, at 1,273,615.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates earn a median $28,314 one year after completing their program, $53,106 after four years and $52,214 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,314 |
| 4 years | $53,106 |
| 5 years | $52,214 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to linguistics & comparative literature, with a median salary of $88,437.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
Linguistics & Comparative Literature includes 6 concentrations that together award 7,420 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Linguistics (2,794), Foreign Languages and Literatures, General (2,280) and Comparative Literature (987). It has 16 similar majors in the Foreign Languages & Linguistics field, which together award 21,751 degrees a year; the largest are Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (12,344), American Sign Language (2,471) and East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (2,127). Browse all Foreign Languages & Linguistics majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Linguistics | 2,794 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures, General | 2,280 |
| Comparative Literature | 987 |
| Language Interpretation and Translation | 876 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 308 |
| Applied Linguistics | 175 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
