by our College Data Analytics Team
[Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/comparative-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 101 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for comparative literature students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in comparative literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among comparative literature schools in the United States. 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. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $10,492. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in comparative literature will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #2. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in comparative literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for comparative literature. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $12,157. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $24,900. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for comparative literature. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $15,833. Comparative Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
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Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for comparative literature. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #7 among the best values for comparative literature. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,524. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $14,100. 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.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #10 among the best values for comparative literature. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #11 position for value in comparative literature this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #12 for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $11,621. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $34,279. That is a strong return on a $11,621 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #13 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $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.
University Of California Riverside came in at #14 for value in comparative literature this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $20,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,283 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #15 spot for comparative literature value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #16 position for value in comparative literature this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,420 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $17,864 early in their careers. Set against $22,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #17 for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #20 spot for comparative literature value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,079. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $22,965. Set against $16,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #21 for value in comparative literature this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $18,635 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,635 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #22 spot for comparative literature value this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $17,491. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $21,793. Set against $17,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #23 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $22,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #25 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,706 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $28,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,706 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in comparative literature:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Comparative Literature rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.