by our College Data Analytics Team
[Linguistics Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find where linguistics comparative literature graduates earn the most.
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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 American University, our #1 for linguistics comparative literature graduate salaries in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from American University typically earn about $52,493 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in linguistics comparative literature will find them at University Of Delaware, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Delaware typically earn about $75,637 annually.
University Of Maryland College Park produces some of the highest-paid graduates in linguistics comparative literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $64,229 a year early in their careers.
Cornell University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Cornell University make a median of around $53,112 per year.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey produces some of the highest-paid graduates in linguistics comparative literature, landing the #5 spot this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey make a median of around $52,649 per year.
Towson University came in at #6 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Towson University is a public school located in the city of Towson. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,579.
Georgetown University landed the #7 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of about $71,822 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of about $56,773 a year early in their careers.
Stony Brook University came in at #9 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Stony Brook University typically earn about $66,762 annually.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #10 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Suny At Binghamton make a median of around $61,676 per year.
Montclair State University landed the #11 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,459.
Cuny Queens College earned the #12 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Cuny Queens College typically earn about $49,706 annually.
University At Buffalo placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University At Buffalo typically earn about $45,647 annually.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #14 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $49,113 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick make a median of around $53,565 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 15 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.