2027 Best Value Comparative Literature Master’s Degree Schools
[Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/comparative-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for comparative literature students.
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2027 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in comparative literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Comparative Literature Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in comparative literature in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,393. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in comparative literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in comparative literature will find it at University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, which ranked #5. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #6 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $11,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #7 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,621 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $34,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #8 for value in comparative literature this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #9 spot for comparative literature value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $23,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $31,993. Set against $23,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #10 spot for comparative literature value this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $17,921. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $72,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Oregon landed the #11 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $23,187. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $23,615 early in their careers. Set against $23,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Yale University landed the #12 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $14,357. Comparative Literature graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Boston University placed #13 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut landed the #14 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $55,861. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University landed the #16 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College landed the #17 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,989. Comparative Literature graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #18 for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
New York University earned the #19 position for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University earned the #20 position for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $28,278. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Other Comparative Literature Degree Levels
Explore the best-value comparative literature schools at other degree levels:
View All Comparative Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
