by our College Data Analytics TeamThe study of Linguistics and Comparative Literature are two separate entities, however they both deal with the examination of dialect and how it has developed and changed over time. If you are fascinated by the structure of language, this would be an ideal major for you. Students will learn language development and relationships among language groups from a humanistic and scientific perspective. Some of the classes you will take are Historical Linguistics, Philosophy of Languages, Phonology and Phonetics, Great Books of Western Culture, Romanticism, and Literature of the Americas.
Depending on the college you choose, different concentrations may be available to you. These include Linguistics, Language Interpretation and Translation, Comparative Literature and Applied Linguistics.
A degree in Linguistics & Comparative Literature explores Linguistic, Comparative, And Related Language Studies And Services. Read on to learn the key facts every linguistics & comparative literature major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering linguistics & comparative literature programs.
Across the country, linguistics & comparative literature draws strong interest, with 7,564 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 414 schools to determine the best overall colleges for linguistics & comparative literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of linguistics & comparative literature programs later in this article.
Programs in Linguistics & Comparative Literature develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations linguistics & comparative literature graduates commonly enter.
This major is well suited to individuals who are creative, curious and analytical thinkers. You will spend a good amount of time studying the origin and development of language, making a love of reading and writing important. You can prepare for this major ahead of time by taking courses in English Literature, Foreign Languages, English Language, World History, and European History.
The skill set developed in a linguistics & comparative literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a linguistics & comparative literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several linguistics & comparative literature degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 101 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 368 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,678 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,938 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 456 |
People currently working in careers related to linguistics & comparative literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 42.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.7% |
| Master’s degree | 21.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in linguistics & comparative literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A graduate with a degree in Linguistics & Comparative Literature can go into many different career paths. You may find work as a Postsecondary Teacher, Speech-Language Pathologist or an Audiologist. Pathologists and Audiologist help diagnose, treat, and prevent speech and hearing problems. They work directly with the language and the individual development of it.
Graduates can also peruse a career as a translator or interpreter. Translators and interpreters are in high demand because of growing business between nations. You may also choose to become an Anthropologist or Archeologist. Both of these fields examine the past of different cultures. As an Anthropologist you will examine the elements of human culture and society. As an Archeologist, you would examine the relics from the past to recreate the history and culture. Other career paths include Librarian or University Professor. Some of these jobs may require additional education.
Majoring in linguistics & comparative literature opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to linguistics & comparative literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to linguistics & comparative literature.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of linguistics & comparative literature graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,314 |
| 4 years | $43,990 |
| 5 years | $52,123 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for linguistics & comparative literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers linguistics & comparative literature grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 414 different linguistics & comparative literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased linguistics & comparative literature school rankings to help you.
Those considering linguistics & comparative literature, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Linguistics | 2,847 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures, General | 2,396 |
| Language Interpretation and Translation | 967 |
| Comparative Literature | 917 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 240 |
| Applied Linguistics | 197 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
