by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature involves the study of A Program With A General Synthesis Of Cultural Studies And Comparative Literature Or A Specialization Which Draws From Cultural Studies And Comparative Literature. Includes Instruction In Anthropology, Comparative Linguistics, Cultural Studies, History, Literary Criticism, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Political Economy, Sociology, And Textual Studies. Continue reading for the key facts every cultural studies and comparative literature student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cultural studies and comparative literature programs.
Nationwide, cultural studies and comparative literature is a widely-pursued major, with 24 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cultural studies and comparative literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cultural studies and comparative literature programs later in this article.
Programs in Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cultural studies and comparative literature graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a cultural studies and comparative literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a cultural studies and comparative literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cultural studies and comparative literature degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to cultural studies and comparative literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 45.0% |
| Master’s degree | 24.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cultural studies and comparative literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in cultural studies and comparative literature can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to cultural studies and comparative literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cultural studies and comparative literature.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
Salaries for cultural studies and comparative literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cultural studies and comparative literature grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 4 different cultural studies and comparative literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cultural studies and comparative literature school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
