by our College Data Analytics Team
[Linguistics Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 98 schools on the early-career earnings of their linguistics comparative literature graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send linguistics comparative literature graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Duke University, our #1 for linguistics comparative literature graduate salaries in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Duke University make a median of around $94,560 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Delaware one of the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,637.
A rank of #3 makes Mississippi State University one of the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Mississippi State University make a median of around $74,778 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #4 place for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from University Of Maryland College Park make a median of around $64,229 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in linguistics comparative literature will find them at Christopher Newport University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Christopher Newport University typically earn about $63,118 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #6 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins typically earn about $60,473 annually.
Emory University came in at #7 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Emory University make a median of around $55,567 per year.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #8 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Virginia Military Institute is a public school located in the town of Lexington. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute typically earn about $72,503 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus typically earn about $54,648 annually.
Cornell University came in at #10 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of Cornell University earn a median of about $53,112 a year early in their careers.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #11 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from University Of Mary Washington make a median of around $53,079 per year.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of about $52,649 a year early in their careers.
James Madison University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $62,734 per year.
Towson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Towson University typically earn about $51,579 annually.
University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arizona typically earn about $51,217 annually.
University Of North Georgia landed the #16 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of North Georgia typically earn about $78,292 annually.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of about $49,347 a year early in their careers.
Boston University landed the #18 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,068.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #19 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Durham. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus typically earn about $48,165 annually.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #20 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,956.
University Of South Alabama earned the #21 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. University Of South Alabama is a public school located in the city of Mobile. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of about $47,548 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #22 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,162.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #23 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Eastern Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Charleston. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,325.
Georgetown University landed the #24 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Georgetown University make a median of around $71,822 per year.
George Mason University came in at #25 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,693.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid linguistics comparative literature ranking:
Explore the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their linguistics comparative literature graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 98 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.