Best Schools for Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduates earn a median of $51,154 within four years of graduating, ranking #244 out of 283 tracked majors — 18% below the median across all fields. There are 127 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 3,180 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Duke University graduates earn $88,098 while California State University-Fullerton graduates earn $29,715 — a $58,383 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduates see an average 11% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

127
Schools
$51,154
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#244
of 283 Majors
3,180
Graduates

Public vs Private: Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Public (113 schools)
$49,693
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (14 schools)
$67,704
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $18,011 more in early earnings on average for Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services by State

Also by state: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Top Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
Duke University logo

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

$88,098
4yr Earnings
20 grads · small sample
2yr: $42,682 (26)
1yr: $33,441 (18)
Acceptance: 6.8%
#2
Brandeis University logo

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private

$78,746
4yr Earnings
17 grads · small sample
2yr: $28,598 (12)
1yr: $43,816 (16)
Acceptance: 35.3%
#3
Emory University logo

Emory University

Atlanta, GA · Private

$76,993
4yr Earnings
16 grads · small sample
2yr: $33,993 (14)
Acceptance: 11.1%
#4
University of California-Berkeley logo

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$76,724
4yr Earnings
33 grads
1yr: $29,747 (39)
Acceptance: 11.7%
#5
Virginia Military Institute logo

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA · Public

$73,971
4yr Earnings
19 grads · small sample
2yr: $39,909 (22)
1yr: $39,025 (19)
Acceptance: 81.7%
#6
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University logo

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

$68,263
4yr Earnings
76 grads
2yr: $31,314 (57)
1yr: $33,455 (35)
Acceptance: 57.0%
#7
Texas A&M University-College Station logo

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$66,241
4yr Earnings
24 grads · small sample
1yr: $38,589 (18)
Acceptance: 63.2%
#8
Michigan State University logo

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public

$65,667
4yr Earnings
16 grads · small sample
2yr: $18,771 (11)
1yr: $25,760 (17)
Acceptance: 83.9%
#9
Georgetown University logo

Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private

$65,574
4yr Earnings
21 grads · small sample
2yr: $32,563 (20)
Acceptance: 13.1%
#10
Stony Brook University logo

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

$64,547
4yr Earnings
31 grads
2yr: $16,169 (26)
1yr: $26,263 (32)
Acceptance: 49.0%
#11
University of California-Los Angeles logo

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$62,927
4yr Earnings
144 grads
2yr: $27,874 (103)
1yr: $34,901 (119)
Acceptance: 8.7%
#12
James Madison University logo

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public

$62,366
4yr Earnings
56 grads
2yr: $40,821 (44)
1yr: $36,812 (62)
Acceptance: 76.3%
#13
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign logo

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$61,774
4yr Earnings
24 grads · small sample
2yr: $26,353 (19)
1yr: $35,846 (24)
Acceptance: 43.7%
#14
University of California-Santa Barbara logo

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$61,580
4yr Earnings
74 grads
2yr: $30,988 (60)
1yr: $26,790 (73)
Acceptance: 27.8%
#15
University of Missouri-Columbia logo

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public

$61,080
4yr Earnings
43 grads
2yr: $18,401 (11)
Acceptance: 77.0%
#16
Rutgers University-New Brunswick logo

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public

$60,883
4yr Earnings
47 grads
1yr: $25,304 (35)
Acceptance: 65.3%
#17
Brigham Young University logo

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

$60,469
4yr Earnings
49 grads
2yr: $28,164 (71)
1yr: $29,068 (58)
Acceptance: 69.2%
#18
North Carolina State University at Raleigh logo

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$60,031
4yr Earnings
55 grads
1yr: $31,164 (48)
Acceptance: 39.9%
#19
The University of Texas at Austin logo

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

$59,742
4yr Earnings
45 grads
2yr: $25,194 (34)
1yr: $27,205 (50)
Acceptance: 29.1%
#20
George Mason University logo

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$58,931
4yr Earnings
36 grads
2yr: $39,369 (34)
1yr: $41,771 (35)
Acceptance: 88.8%
#21
University of California-Davis logo

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$58,443
4yr Earnings
47 grads
2yr: $25,856 (46)
1yr: $25,416 (43)
Acceptance: 41.6%
#22
Appalachian State University logo

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

$55,778
4yr Earnings
29 grads · small sample
1yr: $17,245 (29)
Acceptance: 88.6%
#23
University of California-San Diego logo

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$55,776
4yr Earnings
40 grads
2yr: $22,420 (32)
1yr: $25,354 (38)
Acceptance: 24.5%
#24
Colorado State University-Fort Collins logo

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public

$55,647
4yr Earnings
27 grads · small sample
2yr: $33,565 (50)
1yr: $29,741 (33)
Acceptance: 89.6%
#25
University of Washington-Seattle Campus logo

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

$55,540
4yr Earnings
25 grads · small sample
2yr: $25,426 (54)
1yr: $33,546 (45)
Acceptance: 42.5%
#26
University of Southern Maine logo

University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · Public

$55,435
4yr Earnings
17 grads · small sample
Acceptance: 79.3%
#27
Montana State University logo

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public

$55,352
4yr Earnings
24 grads · small sample
2yr: $28,960 (20)
Acceptance: 86.8%
#28
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor logo

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

$55,137
4yr Earnings
33 grads
2yr: $21,964 (21)
1yr: $20,815 (23)
Acceptance: 17.9%
#29
The University of Texas at Dallas logo

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

$54,985
4yr Earnings
54 grads
2yr: $23,693 (32)
1yr: $35,237 (45)
Acceptance: 65.5%
#30
Northern Arizona University logo

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public

$54,276
4yr Earnings
23 grads · small sample
1yr: $22,554 (21)
Acceptance: 91.0%
#31
Binghamton University logo

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY · Public

$54,215
4yr Earnings
26 grads · small sample
1yr: $19,265 (21)
Acceptance: 37.7%
#32
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logo

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

$54,181
4yr Earnings
70 grads
2yr: $21,508 (32)
1yr: $27,479 (55)
Acceptance: 18.7%
#33
Christopher Newport University logo

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA · Public

$53,564
4yr Earnings
21 grads · small sample
2yr: $31,670 (24)
1yr: $26,774 (21)
Acceptance: 88.0%
#34
Gordon College logo

Gordon College

Wenham, MA · Private

$53,475
4yr Earnings
17 grads · small sample
1yr: $36,992 (26)
Acceptance: 58.8%
#35
Western Illinois University logo

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$53,453
4yr Earnings
21 grads · small sample
Acceptance: 75.0%
#36
University of Mary Washington logo

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA · Public

$53,282
4yr Earnings
23 grads · small sample
2yr: $35,060 (27)
1yr: $28,875 (22)
Acceptance: 86.3%
#37
Ramapo College of New Jersey logo

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, NJ · Public

$53,085
4yr Earnings
43 grads
2yr: $36,488 (32)
1yr: $30,666 (52)
Acceptance: 73.2%
#38
University of Arizona logo

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

$52,805
4yr Earnings
20 grads · small sample
2yr: $26,353 (25)
1yr: $24,838 (33)
Acceptance: 85.7%
#39
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville logo

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$52,703
4yr Earnings
52 grads
2yr: $30,771 (14)
1yr: $31,325 (54)
Acceptance: 46.0%
#40
Clemson University logo

Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public

$52,044
4yr Earnings
29 grads · small sample
2yr: $27,669 (17)
1yr: $28,742 (20)
Acceptance: 38.0%
#41
Portland State University logo

Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public

$51,925
4yr Earnings
23 grads · small sample
2yr: $28,055 (22)
1yr: $26,896 (35)
Acceptance: 90.9%
#42
Stephen F Austin State University logo

Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public

$51,494
4yr Earnings
22 grads · small sample
2yr: $42,682 (13)
1yr: $27,524 (17)
Acceptance: 88.3%
#43
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus logo

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$51,416
4yr Earnings
27 grads · small sample
2yr: $27,874 (21)
1yr: $33,174 (25)
Acceptance: 49.7%
#44
Metropolitan State University of Denver logo

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public

$50,926
4yr Earnings
29 grads · small sample
2yr: $31,423 (43)
1yr: $32,791 (32)
Acceptance: 99.1%
#45
Hofstra University logo

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY · Private

$50,571
4yr Earnings
18 grads · small sample
Acceptance: 70.6%
#46
University of California-Santa Cruz logo

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$49,763
4yr Earnings
174 grads
2yr: $24,832 (225)
1yr: $23,717 (217)
Acceptance: 62.5%
#47
California State University-San Bernardino logo

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$49,732
4yr Earnings
25 grads · small sample
2yr: $26,625 (11)
Acceptance: 98.3%
#48
San Francisco State University logo

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$48,959
4yr Earnings
18 grads · small sample
1yr: $29,969 (21)
Acceptance: 96.2%
#49
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania logo

Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, PA · Public

$48,495
4yr Earnings
34 grads
2yr: $33,281 (17)
1yr: $27,410 (16)
Acceptance: 94.8%
#50
West Virginia University logo

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public

$48,331
4yr Earnings
40 grads
2yr: $36,134 (32)
1yr: $32,159 (42)
Acceptance: 86.3%

Showing top 50 of 127 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services?
Duke University ranks #1 for Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services with median graduate earnings of $88,098 within four years of graduating. There are 127 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduates earn?
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduates earn an average of $51,154 within four years of graduating. This is 18% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $29,715 to $88,098 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services program?
The average acceptance rate across Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services programs is 66.3%. The most selective program is at University of Chicago with a 4.8% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services?
Private Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services programs average $67,704 in early earnings vs $49,693 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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