by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Comparative Literature involves the study of Comparative Literature. A Program That Focuses On Two Or More Literary Traditions In The Original Languages Or In Translation. Includes Instruction In Comparative Linguistics; Applicable Foreign Languages; English/french Language And Literature; Literary Criticism; And Applications To Genre, Period, National, And Textual Studies As Well As Literary Forms Such As Poetry, Prose, And Drama. Continue reading for the key facts every comparative literature major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering comparative literature programs.
In the U.S., comparative literature draws strong interest, with 917 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Comparative Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 83 schools to determine the best overall colleges for comparative literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of comparative literature programs later in this article.
Coursework for Comparative Literature emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations comparative literature graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a comparative literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a comparative literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 610 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 152 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 153 |
People currently working in careers related to comparative literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 58.4% |
| Master’s degree | 30.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in comparative literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in comparative literature opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to comparative literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to comparative literature.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of comparative literature graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 comparative literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers comparative literature grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
With 83 different comparative literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased comparative literature school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in comparative literature, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Linguistics | 2,847 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures, General | 2,396 |
| Language Interpretation and Translation | 967 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 240 |
| Applied Linguistics | 197 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
