2026 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in New York
[Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/comparative-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value comparative literature schools.
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2026 Best Value Comparative Literature Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the comparative literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Comparative Literature Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among comparative literature schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $11,091. Comparative Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for comparative literature. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. 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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for comparative literature. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. 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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value comparative literature schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $23,258. Comparative Literature graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for comparative literature. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,001 in student loans. Comparative Literature graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $24,407 early in their careers. Set against $19,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #6 for value in comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,125 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $26,703. That is a strong return on a $19,125 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #7 spot for comparative literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $22,250. Early-career comparative literature graduates make about $26,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Rochester landed the #8 spot for comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for comparative literature graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Cornell University placed #9 among the best values for comparative literature. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
New York University came in at #10 for value in comparative literature this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. 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. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
