2026 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for comparative literature. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for comparative literature. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $24,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,723. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for comparative literature. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $18,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $15,000. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $30,524. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #10 position for value in comparative literature this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $27,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,100 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #11 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #12 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,124 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $27,699. That is a strong return on a $15,124 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

13

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo placed #13 among the best values for comparative literature. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $11,621 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $34,279. Set against $11,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

14

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $17,283. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $20,212. That is a strong return on a $17,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

15

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $25,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

16

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #16 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $5,500. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $9,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

17

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #17 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $22,420. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $17,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

18

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $25,921. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

19

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 for value in comparative literature this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $20,836. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

20

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #20 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #21 for value in comparative literature this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,079. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $22,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware placed #22 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

23

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #23 for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,635 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $18,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #25 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $17,491 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $21,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,491 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.