by our College Data Analytics Team
[Linguistics Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a linguistics comparative literature degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their linguistics comparative literature graduates.
What’s on this page:
The right linguistics comparative literature school can pay off in your paycheck for years to come. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Linguistics Comparative Literature Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose linguistics comparative literature degrees pay off the most.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid Linguistics Comparative Literature Graduates list, to help you choose. 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.
Below are the schools whose linguistics comparative literature graduates go on to earn the most.
American University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid linguistics comparative literature graduates in the United States. American University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from American University make a median of around $52,493 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Duke University earned it the #2 place for linguistics comparative literature. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Duke University make a median of around $94,560 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Delaware earned it the #3 place for linguistics comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Delaware typically earn about $75,637 annually.
Mississippi State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of about $74,778 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place for linguistics comparative literature. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park typically earn about $64,229 annually.
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Christopher Newport University came in at #6 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Christopher Newport University is a public school located in the city of Newport News. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from Christopher Newport University typically earn about $63,118 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins make a median of around $60,473 per year.
Emory University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,567.
Virginia Military Institute placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Virginia Military Institute make a median of around $72,503 per year.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus typically earn about $54,648 annually.
Cornell University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of Cornell University earn a median of about $53,112 a year early in their careers.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #12 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. University Of Mary Washington is a public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington typically earn about $53,079 annually.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,649.
James Madison University landed the #14 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of James Madison University earn a median of about $62,734 a year early in their careers.
Towson University came in at #15 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,579.
University Of Arizona landed the #16 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. University Of Arizona is a public school located in the city of Tucson. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arizona typically earn about $51,217 annually.
University Of North Georgia came in at #17 for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of about $78,292 a year early in their careers.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock landed the #18 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. After graduating, linguistics comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock typically earn about $49,347 annually.
Boston University earned the #19 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Boston University make a median of around $49,068 per year.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #20 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of about $48,165 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for linguistics comparative literature. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University make a median of around $62,956 per year.
University Of South Alabama earned the #22 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a public institution. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from University Of South Alabama make a median of around $47,548 per year.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #23 position for linguistics comparative literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Linguistics Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $72,162 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #24 spot for linguistics comparative literature salaries this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the linguistics comparative literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,325.
Georgetown University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying linguistics comparative literature schools. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career linguistics comparative literature graduates from Georgetown University make a median of around $71,822 per year.
These schools also send linguistics comparative literature graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their linguistics comparative literature graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.