by our College Data Analytics Team
[Linguistics Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the early-career earnings of their linguistics comparative literature graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose linguistics comparative literature graduates go on to earn the most.
Duke University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid linguistics comparative literature graduates in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Duke University make a median of around $94,560 per year.
A rank of #2 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.
Students chasing top earnings in linguistics comparative literature will find them at Christopher Newport University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $63,118 a year early in their careers.
Emory University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in linguistics comparative literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of Emory University earn a median of about $55,567 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in linguistics comparative literature will find them at Virginia Military Institute, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Virginia Military Institute make a median of around $72,503 per year.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #6 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington typically earn about $53,079 annually.
James Madison University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,734.
University Of North Georgia ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from University Of North Georgia make a median of around $78,292 per year.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public school located in the city of Little Rock. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock typically earn about $49,347 annually.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. 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 ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,548.
George Mason University came in at #12 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $51,693 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #13 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga make a median of around $42,579 per year.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #14 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a public school located in the city of Conway. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,958.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,035.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #16 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University make a median of around $49,017 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #17 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill typically earn about $57,670 annually.
University Of Florida came in at #18 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $48,373 a year early in their careers.
East Carolina University earned the #19 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. East Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Greenville. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from East Carolina University typically earn about $35,561 annually.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,099.
Clemson University earned the #21 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Clemson University make a median of around $40,554 per year.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #22 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University typically earn about $32,756 annually.
University Of Memphis landed the #23 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,728.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #24 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,713.
University Of Georgia placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,918.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning linguistics comparative literature graduates:
The ranking above is published 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 · 31 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.