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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Comparative Literature Schools

31 Colleges in the United States
617 Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$49,406 Avg Early-Career Salary

Comparative Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 101 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best comparative literature schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Comparative Literature School

Best Comparative Literature Schools

Where you study comparative literature matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Comparative Literature Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Comparative Literature School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Comparative Literature Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Comparative Literature
Bachelor's Degrees in Comparative Literature
Master's Degrees in Comparative Literature
Doctoral Degrees in Comparative Literature

We offer several rankings, including this Best Comparative Literature Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Comparative Literature in the United States

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the comparative literature degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Comparative Literature

1
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best comparative literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. Brown University awarded about 16 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. More information about a degree in comparative literature from Brown University

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best comparative literature schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 18 comparative literature degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the comparative literature program at Stanford University

3
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in comparative literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 comparative literature degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the comparative literature program make about $64,516 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. More information about a degree in comparative literature from New York University

4
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for a strong comparative literature program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 21 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full comparative literature details for Harvard University

5

A rank of #5 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for comparative literature. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. More information about a degree in comparative literature from Columbia University In The City Of New York

6

University Of California Los Angeles placed #6 among the best comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,524 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full comparative literature details for University Of California Los Angeles

7
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #7 spot for comparative literature this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in comparative literature from Princeton University

8
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College came in at #8 for comparative literature this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Dartmouth College awarded about 15 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Comparative Literature graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. More information about a degree in comparative literature from Dartmouth College

9

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #9 for comparative literature this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 17 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. See the full comparative literature program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

10

Cornell University placed #10 among the best comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 10 comparative literature degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree. See the full comparative literature program report for Cornell University

11
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #11 spot for comparative literature this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 13 comparative literature degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. Read more about the comparative literature program at Yale University

12

University Of Southern California earned the #12 position for comparative literature this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 13 comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the comparative literature program make about $75,677 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. More information about a degree in comparative literature from University Of Southern California

13

University Of Connecticut earned the #13 position for comparative literature this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of Connecticut awarded about 14 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the comparative literature program make about $58,784 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Read more about the comparative literature program at University Of Connecticut

14

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #14 among the best comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 20 comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $27,629 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete this degree. Read more about the comparative literature program at University Of California Santa Barbara

15

University Of California Berkeley earned the #15 position for comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 26 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $25,059 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the comparative literature program at University Of California Berkeley

16

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #16 spot for comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 16 comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $20,334 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. See the full comparative literature program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

17
Occidental College crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College earned the #17 position for comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Occidental College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from Occidental College earn around $41,514 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree. Read more about the comparative literature program at Occidental College

18

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #18 position for comparative literature this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 18 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Comparative Literature graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. Get the full comparative literature details for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

19

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #19 position for comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 125 comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $21,793 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,491. See the full comparative literature program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

20

University Of California Davis earned the #20 position for comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 12 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from University Of California Davis earn around $22,965 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,079. Read more about the comparative literature program at University Of California Davis

21
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best comparative literature schools. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 comparative literature degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from Oberlin College earn around $25,146 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,759. See the full comparative literature program report for Oberlin College

22

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best comparative literature schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates 76% of students within six years. About 66 comparative literature degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $31,993. Students borrow a median of $23,156 to complete this degree. See the full comparative literature program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas

23

University Of California Riverside earned the #23 position for comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 10 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the comparative literature program make about $20,212 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,283. See the full comparative literature program report for University Of California Riverside

24

University Of Georgia earned the #24 position for comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their comparative literature degree from University Of Georgia earn around $17,864 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,420 in student loans. More information about a degree in comparative literature from University Of Georgia

25

University Of Oregon landed the #25 spot for comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. University Of Oregon graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Oregon awarded about 13 comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $23,615. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete this degree. See the full comparative literature program report for University Of Oregon

Rest of the Top 26 Comparative Literature Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s comparative literature ranking:

26

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Comparative Literature by Region

View the Best Comparative Literature Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Comparative Literature is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 101 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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