2026 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

For return on investment in comparative literature, no school beat Stanford University this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $10,492. Comparative Literature graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for comparative literature. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #3 place 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, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $12,580. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $18,393. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

Students looking for strong value in comparative literature will find it at University Of California Riverside, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $17,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $20,212. Set against $17,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

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. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $14,100 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $27,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

7

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, 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. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #8 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,079 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $22,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

9

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #9 for value in comparative literature this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $11,000. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $22,001. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

10

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #10 among the best values for comparative literature. 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. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $21,793 early in their careers. Set against $17,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

11

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #11 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. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

12

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College earned the #12 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,274. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of Occidental College earn a median of $41,514 early in their careers. Set against $22,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants.