Comparative Literary Studies at Northwestern University

Programme overview

View and complete the CLS Major Advising worksheet to plan out your CLS major requirements: Comparative Literary Studies is the interdisciplinary study of global literatures and cultures. Our majors and minors study literature and the arts by reading expansively and pursuing research across linguistic, national, and historical divisions.

Faculty: Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

CLS majors who are double majors can count up to 2 courses in their other major towards the major in CLS. Students formulate a topic for their honors thesis and identify an advisor by the end of their junior year and in consultation with the DUS in CLS.

Official programme page

Application information

USD 71,802 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 (full-time $23,934 per quarter, fall/winter/spring); a single rate for all full-time undergraduate degree programmes; excludes room and board, student health, activity and athletics fees and health insurance. Source

Undergraduate terms run fall, winter and spring (quarter system); first-year applicants apply through Early Decision, Regular Decision or QuestBridge.

First-year deadlines for 2026-27: QuestBridge October 1, 2026; Early Decision November 1, 2026 (decisions December 2026); Regular Decision January 4, 2027 (decisions March 2027). Transfer: Early Decision March 1, 2027; Regular Decision April 1, 2027 (priority deadline for Bienen transfer applicants January 4, 2027).

Apply through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (QuestBridge for QuestBridge applicants). The nonrefundable application fee is $75 or a fee waiver. Northwestern is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores.

Graduate applications for 2026-27 open September 15, 2026; deadlines vary by programme. The Graduate School application fee is $95 and nonrefundable, paid by credit or debit card.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/

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