by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 4 U.S. colleges awarded 25 degrees and certificates in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 44% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Its 3 related occupations pay an average median salary of $71,294 a year.
Studying Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature involves the study of A Program With A General Synthesis Of Cultural Studies And Comparative Literature Or A Specialization Which Draws From Cultural Studies And Comparative Literature. Includes Instruction In Anthropology, Comparative Linguistics, Cultural Studies, History, Literary Criticism, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Political Economy, Sociology, And Textual Studies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, cultural studies and comparative literature is a widely-pursued major, with 25 degrees awarded annually. 4 colleges award cultural studies and comparative literature degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 10.
By level, the 25 awards include 10 bachelor’s degrees, 11 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of cultural studies and comparative literature degrees and certificates in the latest year (16 of 25). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (12) and Hispanic or Latino (6).
College Factual ranks 1 schools in its 2027 Best Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature Schools ranking. In all, 4 colleges offer cultural studies and comparative literature programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common cultural studies and comparative literature credential is the master’s degree: 11 of the 25 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to cultural studies and comparative literature call most for Reading Comprehension, Instructing and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Communications and Media, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a cultural studies and comparative literature degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to cultural studies and comparative literature, at 45.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 45.0% |
| Master’s degree | 24.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature, with an average median salary of $71,294; the strongest outlook belongs to English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Lecturer, Adjunct Professor, Associate Professor and University Faculty Member.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to cultural studies and comparative literature, at 1,273,615.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to cultural studies and comparative literature, with a median salary of $88,437.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
