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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Far Western Region

20 Colleges in the United States
1,317 Linguistics & Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$42,551 Avg Early-Career Salary

Linguistics & 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 94 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for linguistics & comparative literature students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Linguistics & Comparative Literature in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall linguistics & comparative literature education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Linguistics & Comparative Literature

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for linguistics & comparative literature. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at Stanford University

2

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 117 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,524 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of California Los Angeles

3

A rank of #3 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for linguistics & comparative literature. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at San Jose State University

4

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of Southern California

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the top schools for linguistics & comparative literature. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 97 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $27,629 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of California Santa Barbara

6

University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 71 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $25,059. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of California Berkeley

7
Occidental College crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Occidental College awarded about 17 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Occidental College earn a median of $41,514 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Occidental College

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

9

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #9 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 194 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $21,793 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,491. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

10

University Of California Davis earned the #10 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 44 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $22,965. Typical student debt for the program is $16,079. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of California Davis

11

California State University Northridge came in at #11 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $21,501. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from California State University Northridge

12

University Of California Riverside ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $20,212 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for University Of California Riverside

13

California State University Long Beach earned the #13 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,393. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from California State University Long Beach

14
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #14 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from De Anza College

15

California State University Fresno earned the #15 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. About 14 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from California State University Fresno earn around $49,502 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for California State University Fresno

16

California State University Fullerton placed #16 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $22,723 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from California State University Fullerton

17

San Diego State University placed #17 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 30 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $22,001 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from San Diego State University

18

Mt San Antonio College came in at #18 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 35 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Mt San Antonio College

19

Monterey Institute Of International Studies placed #19 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Monterey Institute Of International Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monterey. About 69 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Monterey Institute Of International Studies in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $30,439 in their early career. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at Monterey Institute Of International Studies

20

Western Washington University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $24,232. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $19,899 in student loans. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Western Washington University

21

University Of Oregon landed the #21 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $23,615 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for University Of Oregon

22

Pasadena City College landed the #22 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Pasadena City College awarded about 14 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Pasadena City College

23
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College placed #23 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. There were roughly 14 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Golden West College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $82,984 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at Golden West College

24

City College Of San Francisco came in at #24 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. There were roughly 19 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at City College Of San Francisco

25
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #25 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. About 58 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Santa Ana College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Typical student debt for the program is $11,196. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Santa Ana College

Rest of the Top 31 Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong linguistics & comparative literature education:

26
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
27
Reed College crest
Reed College
Portland, OR
28
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
29
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
30
31

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 94 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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