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

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduates earn a median of $28,221 within two years of graduation, ranking #244 out of 292 tracked majors — 21% below the median across all fields. There are 106 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 2,700 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Chicago graduates earn $52,107 while CUNY Brooklyn College graduates earn $12,776 — a $39,331 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services graduates see an average 12% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

106
Schools
$28,221
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#244
of 292 Majors
2,700
Graduates

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

Public (93 schools)
$27,092
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (12 schools)
$37,030
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $9,938 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

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

#1
U

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $14,137
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 4.8%
#2
M

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,100
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 76.3%
#3
M

Monmouth University

West Long Branch, NJ · Private

$50,231
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.5%
#4
G

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA · Public

$47,394
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 16.5%
#5
D

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,441
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 6.8%
#6
S

Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,524
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 88.3%
#7
C

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$41,193
2yr Earnings
1yr: $17,890
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 8.2%
#8
J

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public

$40,821
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,812
Grads: 62
Acceptance: 76.3%
#9
V

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, VA · Public

$39,909
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,025
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 81.7%
#10
G

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,771
Grads: 35
Acceptance: 88.8%
#11
U

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY · Private

$37,856
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,934
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 35.9%
#12
U

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA · Public

$37,671
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,933
Grads: 37
Acceptance: 72.2%
#13
U

University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Baltimore, MD · Public

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,028
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 74.2%
#14
T

Towson University

Towson, MD · Public

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,531
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 82.8%
#15
O

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA · Public

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,183
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 90.5%
#16
R

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, NJ · Public

$36,488
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,666
Grads: 52
Acceptance: 73.2%
#17
W

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public

$36,134
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,159
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 86.3%
#18
I

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

$35,060
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,309
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 89.1%
#19
U

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA · Public

$35,060
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,875
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 86.3%
#20
S

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$34,420
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,196
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 97.2%
#21
E

Emory University

Atlanta, GA · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 11.1%
#22
C

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public

$33,565
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,741
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 89.6%
#23
N

New York University

New York, NY · Private

$33,281
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 9.4%
#24
G

Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private

$32,563
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 13.1%
#25
U

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$32,391
2yr Earnings
1yr: $18,468
Grads: 59
Acceptance: 77.0%
#26
U

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, NE · Public

$32,213
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,581
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 86.9%
#27
B

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private

$31,848
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,130
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 5.2%
#28
B

Boston University

Boston, MA · Private

$31,839
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 10.8%
#29
C

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA · Public

$31,670
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,774
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 88.0%
#30
M

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Denver, CO · Public

$31,423
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,791
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 99.1%
#31
V

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

$31,314
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,455
Grads: 35
Acceptance: 57.0%
#32
U

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$30,988
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,790
Grads: 73
Acceptance: 27.8%
#33
T

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,325
Grads: 54
Acceptance: 46.0%
#34
U

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public

$30,409
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.4%
#35
U

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

$29,995
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,279
Grads: 53
Acceptance: 24.0%
#36
W

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,350
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 82.0%
#37
S

Stockton University

Galloway, NJ · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.2%
#38
C

Colorado State University Pueblo

Pueblo, CO · Public

$28,960
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 99.8%
#39
M

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public

$28,960
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 86.8%
#40
V

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public

$28,960
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,501
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 93.1%
#41
B

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA · Private

$28,598
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,816
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 35.3%
#42
U

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Durham, NH · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 86.9%
#43
W

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,576
Grads: 40
Acceptance: 91.3%
#44
B

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

$28,164
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,068
Grads: 58
Acceptance: 69.2%
#45
P

Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public

$28,055
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,896
Grads: 35
Acceptance: 90.9%
#46
U

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, MO · Public

$28,019
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 68.6%
#47
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$27,874
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,901
Grads: 119
Acceptance: 8.7%
#48
U

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$27,874
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,174
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 49.7%
#49
C

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$27,669
2yr Earnings
1yr: $18,432
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 93.2%
#50
C

Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public

$27,669
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,742
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 38.0%

Showing top 50 of 106 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?
University of Chicago ranks #1 for Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services with median graduate earnings of $52,107 within two years. There are 106 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 $28,221 within two years of graduation. This is 21% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $12,776 to $52,107 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 65.8%. 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 $37,030 in early earnings vs $27,092 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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