2027 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in New York

[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 10 schools to find the best return on investment for comparative literature students.
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2027 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in comparative literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Comparative Literature Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among comparative literature schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Stony Brook University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,001 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $24,407 early in their careers. Set against $19,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in comparative literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $19,125. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $26,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #5 makes Suny At Binghamton one of the best values for comparative literature. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $26,353 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Cornell University placed #6 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester landed the #8 spot for comparative literature value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Hofstra University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $24,848. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
New York University landed the #10 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.