Linguistics & Comparative Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their linguistics & comparative literature programs.
College Factual analyzed 533 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools.
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Choosing a Great Linguistics & Comparative Literature School
The linguistics & comparative literature program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Linguistics & Comparative Literature rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Linguistics & Comparative Literature Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools 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.
American University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of American University earn a median of $52,493 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from American University
Brown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong linguistics & comparative literature program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 22 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong linguistics & comparative literature program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 39 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, ranking #5. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 30 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree.
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New York University came in at #6 for linguistics & comparative literature 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. New York University awarded about 35 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $64,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
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Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #7 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323.
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Harvard University came in at #8 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 43 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #9 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 60 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
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University Of California Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 117 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $30,524 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of California Los Angeles
Princeton University landed the #11 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Princeton University awarded about 31 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
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Dartmouth College placed #12 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 24 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year.
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Cornell University landed the #14 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
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Yale University placed #15 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 39 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
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San Jose State University placed #16 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 18 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Georgetown University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 72 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $28,278 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
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University Of Southern California landed the #18 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
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University Of Connecticut came in at #19 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 35 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
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University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #20 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 52 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,409. Students borrow a median of $19,286 to complete this degree.
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University Of Rochester ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 28 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $27,699. Typical student debt for the program is $15,124.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #23 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 68 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $37,389 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
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James Madison University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 14 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $45,122 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $18,398 in student loans.
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University Of Delaware landed the #25 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 27 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $54,155 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s linguistics & comparative literature ranking:
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 · 533 schools evaluated.
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).
