Linguistics & Comparative Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 189 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools.
Choosing a Great Linguistics & Comparative Literature School
The linguistics & comparative literature program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Linguistics & Comparative Literature Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 41 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Stanford University
University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 22 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $81,002 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of Chicago
Brandeis University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 12 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $47,783 in their early career. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans.
Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at Brandeis University
American University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, ranking #5. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 36 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from American University generally make around $52,493. American University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for American University
Northwestern University earned the #6 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Northwestern University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #7 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Yale University earned the #8 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $74,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Yale University
Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844.
See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Purdue University Main Campus
New York University placed #10 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree.
See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for New York University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #11 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 183 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,524. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Washington University In St Louis placed #12 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Washington University In St Louis
University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. About 18 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $99,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Brown University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans.
Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at Brown University
Princeton University came in at #15 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 28 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $67,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at Princeton University
Cornell University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 21 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Cornell University
Dartmouth College earned the #17 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 21 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Dartmouth College
University Of Delaware landed the #18 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 28 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree.
Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at University Of Delaware
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #19 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $27,699 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,124 to complete this degree.
Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Rochester earned the #20 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Rochester awarded about 22 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree.
See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for University Of Rochester
Georgetown University landed the #21 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 51 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $28,278. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Georgetown University
University Of Southern California ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 33 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for University Of Southern California
San Jose State University came in at #23 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at San Jose State University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 29 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #25 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 47 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $35,409 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,286 to complete this degree.
Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for University Of Missouri Columbia
Rest of the Top 50 Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong linguistics & comparative literature education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 189 schools evaluated.
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).
