2026 Best Value Comparative Literature Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in comparative literature, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. 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. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

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 #2. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $18,393 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in comparative literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, 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.

4

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in comparative literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $11,621 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $34,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

5

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $5,500. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $9,605. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $19,500. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $25,921. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

7

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #7 for value in comparative literature this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

8

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #8 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

9

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #9 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,156 to complete the comparative literature program here. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $31,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

10

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #10 position for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $25,479. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Set against $25,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

11

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $27,366 early in their careers. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

12

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #12 spot for comparative literature value this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut landed the #13 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $23,637. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

14

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #14 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $55,861. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon came in at #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $23,187. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Set against $23,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

16

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #16 among the best values for comparative literature. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College earned the #17 position for value in comparative literature this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete the comparative literature program here. Comparative Literature graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.

18

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #18 for value in comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $15,625. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

19

New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #19 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $21,897. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

20

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University placed #20 among the best values for comparative literature. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $28,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.