Classical Languages & Literature is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 270 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for classical languages & literature students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Classical Languages & Literature School
The school you choose for classical languages & literature can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Classical Languages & Literature Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Classical Languages & Literature School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Classical Languages & Literature Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Classical Languages & Literature Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
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Best Schools for Classical Languages & Literature in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the classical languages & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in classical languages & literature. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 16 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at Brown University
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in classical languages & literature, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 15 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from Stanford University
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for classical languages & literature. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 13 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for classical languages & literature. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Classical Languages & 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 classical languages & literature program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in classical languages & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 14 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $67,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from Princeton University
Harvard University came in at #6 for classical languages & literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 13 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $95,207 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from Harvard University
Georgetown University came in at #7 for classical languages & literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at Georgetown University
Villanova University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best classical languages & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from Villanova University earn around $72,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for Villanova University
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #9 position for classical languages & literature this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
More information about a degree in classical languages & literature from University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #10 for classical languages & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 10 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
College Of William And Mary landed the #11 spot for classical languages & literature this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 18 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for College Of William And Mary
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best classical languages & literature schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
The University Of Tennessee earned the #13 position for classical languages & literature this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859.
Get the full classical languages & literature details for The University Of Tennessee
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #14 among the best classical languages & literature schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 classical languages & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their classical languages & literature degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $56,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Arizona landed the #15 spot for classical languages & literature this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 classical languages & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at University Of Arizona
Florida State University came in at #16 for classical languages & literature this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 26 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Students borrow a median of $19,633 to complete this degree.
See the full classical languages & literature program report for Florida State University
University Of Vermont came in at #17 for classical languages & literature this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of Vermont awarded about 17 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the classical languages & literature program make about $44,588 in their early career. University Of Vermont graduates carry a median of $22,607 in student loans.
Read more about the classical languages & literature program at University Of Vermont
St Johns College New Mexico earned the #18 position for classical languages & literature this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, St Johns College New Mexico is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. St Johns College New Mexico awarded about 21 classical languages & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of St Johns College New Mexico earn a median of $23,029 early in their careers. St Johns College New Mexico graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full classical languages & literature program report for St Johns College New Mexico
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 270 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).
