2026 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 39 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Stanford University

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. 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. About 117 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $30,524 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at University Of California Los Angeles

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Students looking for a strong linguistics & comparative literature program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for San Jose State University

4

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 32 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of Southern California

5

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 97 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $27,629. 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
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics & 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 linguistics & comparative literature program at University Of California Berkeley

7

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College came in at #7 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Occidental College awarded about 17 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $41,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Occidental College

8

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #8 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 194 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $21,793. Students borrow a median of $17,491 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of California Santa Cruz

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #9 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $16,079 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from University Of California Davis

10

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent 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. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at California State University Northridge

11

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #11 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 52 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $20,212 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,283. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for University Of California Riverside

12

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #12 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. 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. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $18,393 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for California State University Long Beach

13

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College placed #13 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. About 10 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for De Anza College

14

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 14 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at California State University Fresno

15

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #15 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 17 linguistics & comparative literature degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from California State University Fullerton

16

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 30 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $22,001 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at San Diego State University

17

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. About 35 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $44,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Mt San Antonio College

18

Monterey Institute Of International Studies
Monterey, CA

Monterey Institute Of International Studies earned the #18 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Monterey Institute Of International Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Monterey. Monterey Institute Of International Studies awarded about 69 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $30,439 in their early career. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Monterey Institute Of International Studies

19

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College earned the #19 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. About 14 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Pasadena City College

20

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #20 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. 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. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Golden West College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Golden West College

21

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco landed the #21 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. City College Of San Francisco awarded about 19 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from City College Of San Francisco earn around $100,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for City College Of San Francisco

22

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #22 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. About 58 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Santa Ana College in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Santa Ana College

23

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College landed the #23 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. American River College awarded about 51 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for American River College

24

Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA

Fullerton College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Fullerton College awarded about 22 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Fullerton College

25

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 17 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Long Beach City College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Long Beach City College