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2024 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools

141 Colleges in the United States
8,146 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$28,017 Avg Early-Career Salary
Linguistics & Comparative Literature is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #96 most popular degree program in the country. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual reviewed 141 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of linguistics & comparative literature. Combined, these schools handed out 8,146 degrees in linguistics & comparative literature to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Linguistics & Comparative Literature School

Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools Your choice of linguistics & comparative literature school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Linguistics & Comparative Literature School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Linguistics & Comparative Literature Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Comparative Literature
Master's Degrees in Comparative Literature
Doctor's Degrees in Comparative Literature

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Linguistics & Comparative Literature in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of comparative literature degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

21 Top Schools in Comparative Literature

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In NY
49 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

It's difficult to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you wish to pursue a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 49 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Columbia University in the City of New York

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
145 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$34,901 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you want to pursue a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 145 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles receive an earnings boost of about $6,884 over the average income of linguistics & comparative literature majors.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Los Angeles

3
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DC
55 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Georgetown University is a good decision for students interested in a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 55 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Georgetown University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In CA
40 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat University of Southern California if you want to pursue a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 40 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Southern California

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
14.3% Growth in Graduates

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 112 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program report average early career earnings of $29,747.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Berkeley

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$35,846 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were about 59 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the linguistics & comparative literature degree program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn $7,829 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$33,441 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were about 19 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Linguistics & Comparative Literature degree recipients from Duke University earn a boost of about $5,424 over the typical income of linguistics & comparative literature graduates.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Duke University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In NY
59 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were about 59 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from New York University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$14,137 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were approximately 45 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program report average early career income of $14,137.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Chicago

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
80 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
17.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were roughly 80 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Those linguistics & comparative literature students who get their degree from University of Washington - Seattle Campus receive $5,529 more than the average comparative literature student.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
134 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$26,790 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 134 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the comparative literature program earn an average of $26,790 for their early career.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Santa Barbara

12
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$26,279 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 112 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program report average early career income of $26,279.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Florida

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
53 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
18.9% Growth in Graduates

Middlebury Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monterey. This school ranks 34th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 53 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury Institute in the most recent data year. Those linguistics & comparative literature students who get their degree from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey make $29,911 more than the average comparative literature student.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

14
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$28,130 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Providence, Brown is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 19 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program report average early career income of $28,130.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Brown University

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MA
53 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Boston U is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston. This university ranks 6th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were roughly 53 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Boston University

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$29,068 Median Starting Salary

BYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Provo. This university ranks 1st out of 13 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were about 68 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the comparative literature program report average early career earnings of $29,068.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Brigham Young University - Provo

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MO
39 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Mizzou is a very large public university located in the city of Columbia. This university ranks 4th out of 48 colleges for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were approximately 39 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Missouri - Columbia

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
57 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$25,416 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 57 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients typically make about $25,416 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of California - Davis

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
58 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
3.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 58 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the comparative literature program make about $27,205 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from The University of Texas at Austin

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CT
37 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were approximately 37 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Connecticut

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In WI
30.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 23 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University of Wisconsin - Madison

Rest of the Top Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
26University of Michigan - Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI
27University of California - San DiegoLa Jolla, CA
28University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA
22University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC
23University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
24Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
25University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
25Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA

Linguistics & Comparative Literature by Region

View the Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Linguistics & Comparative Literature is one of 18 different types of Foreign Languages & Linguistics programs to choose from.

Comparative Literature Concentrations

MajorAnnual Graduates
Linguistics3,082
Modern Languages2,671
Language Translation1,005
Comparative Literature941
Other Linguistic, Comparative, & Related Language Studies & Services251
Applied Linguistics196

View All Comparative Literature Concentrations >

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Romance Languages13,644
American Sign Language2,671
East Asian Languages2,319
Classical Languages & Literature1,407
Germanic Languages1,105
Middle Eastern Semitic Languages598
Foreign Language, Literature & Linguistics (Other)518
Slavic, Baltic & Albanian Languages489
Second Language Learning234
Native American Languages48

View All Comparative Literature Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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