Comparative Literature Major Guide: Overview and RoEDU™ Opportunities 2025

The Comparative Literature major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within Humanities, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of Humanities, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$55,667

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$71,045

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$77,072

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 0.8%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$1,511,725

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1062
Occupation: Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$84,290
11,430
N/A
N/A
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-1123
Occupation: English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,270
59,590
N/A
N/A
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
SOC: 25-2031
Occupation: Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$64,580
1,072,540
N/A
N/A

Historical Career Trends (2020-2024)

Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

6.9%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$84,29011,430
2023$86,03011,570
2022$80,9109,340
2021$78,9109,040
2020$78,8409,960

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

13.4%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$78,27059,590
2023$78,13057,600
2022$74,28057,680
2021$75,93058,480
2020$69,00064,800

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

2.7%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$64,5801,072,540
2023$65,2201,045,170
2022$62,3601,042,090
2021$61,8201,020,240
2020$62,870991,000

Colleges offering Comparative Literature

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

RoEdu™

959

Net Price

$17k

Earnings

$60k

The University of Texas at San Antonio

RoEdu™

857

Net Price

$11k

Earnings

$52k

East Carolina University

RoEdu™

815

Net Price

$15k

Earnings

$50k