2026 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

For return on investment in comparative literature, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,723 early in their careers. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for strong value in comparative literature will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $18,393. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in comparative literature will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $16,481. 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.

5

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the best values for comparative literature. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $14,100. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $27,629. Set against $14,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #6 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $20,212. That is a strong return on a $17,283 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #7 for value in comparative literature this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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.

8

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #8 among the best values for comparative literature. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $25,059. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #9 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,079 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $22,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

10

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #10 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $22,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.

11

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. 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.

12

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon earned the #12 position for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $23,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

13

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

14

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College earned the #14 position for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,274 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $22,967. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $41,514. Set against $22,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

15

Reed College
Portland, OR

Reed College earned the #15 position for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Portland, Reed College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,350. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Reed College generally make around $25,561. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 25%.