2027 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools

[Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/comparative-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for comparative literature students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Comparative Literature School for You
The right comparative literature school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Comparative Literature Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Comparative Literature Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the comparative literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Comparative Literature Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among comparative literature schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $10,888. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for comparative literature. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $10,492. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $15,124. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $27,699. Set against $15,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Berkeley placed #6 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $25,059. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,723. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #9 for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Chicago placed #10 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #12 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,481. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #13 position for value in comparative literature this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,921 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,079. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $22,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,079 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #15 for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $9,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $22,420. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $17,864. Set against $22,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #17 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $20,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #19 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $11,621 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $34,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #20 position for value in comparative literature this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $27,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
San Diego State University came in at #21 for value in comparative literature this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $22,001. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware earned the #22 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $24,861. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $54,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for comparative literature. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,096 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $27,788. Set against $20,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Williams College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $12,615. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $53,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #25 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $18,706 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $28,340. Set against $18,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for comparative literature this year:
Narrow Comparative Literature Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Comparative Literature is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.