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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Southeast Region

28 Colleges in the United States
1,273 Linguistics & Comparative Literature Degrees Awarded
$39,026 Avg Early-Career Salary

Linguistics & Comparative Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 117 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for linguistics & comparative literature students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Linguistics & Comparative Literature in the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in Linguistics & Comparative Literature

1

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. 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. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 68 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $37,389. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong linguistics & comparative literature program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,398. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from James Madison University

4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, ranking #4. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 64 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $34,099. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

5

Students looking for a strong linguistics & comparative literature program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 28 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $24,658 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

6

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. About 15 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $25,630 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

7

College Of William And Mary earned the #7 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. College Of William And Mary awarded about 23 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $53,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from College Of William And Mary

8
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #8 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 107 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $30,205 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,912. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at University Of Florida

9

The University Of Alabama landed the #9 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. About 11 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from The University Of Alabama

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #10 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $28,658 early in their careers. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

11
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 15 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,760 in student loans. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Emory University

12

Old Dominion University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Old Dominion University

13

West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 26 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $32,684. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $20,916 in student loans. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for West Virginia University

14

The University Of Tennessee came in at #14 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $31,713 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $20,612 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from The University Of Tennessee

15
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #15 for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Mississippi State University awarded about 32 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Mississippi State University

16

George Mason University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $40,105 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete this degree. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at George Mason University

17
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington earned the #17 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 12 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $43,243 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the linguistics & comparative literature program at University Of Mary Washington

18

Kennesaw State University placed #18 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kennesaw State University awarded about 30 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for Kennesaw State University

19

Christopher Newport University earned the #19 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. About 72% of students finish within six years. Christopher Newport University awarded about 11 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $41,656. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics & comparative literature from Christopher Newport University

20

East Carolina University landed the #20 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. East Carolina University awarded about 13 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $35,561 in their early career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $25,560 in student loans. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for East Carolina University

21
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 19 linguistics & comparative literature students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $29,560 in their early career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $26,112 in student loans. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Clemson University

22

University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #22 among the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 18 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics & comparative literature degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $55,413 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

23

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics & comparative literature schools. This large public university is located in the city of Little Rock. About 37% of students finish within six years. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock awarded about 17 linguistics & comparative literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $47,170. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for University Of Arkansas At Little Rock

24

East Tennessee State University earned the #24 position for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 16 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics & comparative literature program make about $45,444 in their early career. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. See the full linguistics & comparative literature program report for East Tennessee State University

25

Florida Atlantic University landed the #25 spot for linguistics & comparative literature this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 27 linguistics & comparative literature degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $32,756. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full linguistics & comparative literature details for Florida Atlantic University

Rest of the Top 45 Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools

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

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31
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
32
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 117 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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