115 Best Compare and Contrast Essay Topics & Ideas

Many students have written compare and contrast essays with specific instructions, but when it’s time to choose a topic on your own, it can be tough to come up with ideas.

Sometimes, it's hard to decide if your topic will engage readers. This article offers helpful ideas to get you started on the perfect essay.

Why Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?

While writing a compare and contrast essay can be challenging, it allows you to explore different perspectives on the same topic. With proper planning, you can provide readers with various views, helping them form their own opinions. You can compare historical periods, books, movies, theories, and more—there are no limits to your topic choices.

Compare and contrast essay topics on education

Education is an integral part of our lives. We are learning new things not only in school and college but also when we travel, communicate with others, read books, and attend various events. However, the system of education should be constantly developed in order to remain relevant and topical in the modern world. Writing a compare and contrast essay will be a great way to explore different options and ideas about how exactly the education should be changed.

Before writing about education, you should research other articles on the same topic online. Consider different viewpoints, even if you don’t agree with them. You never know when the new ideas will appear.

Discussing the matter with other students or teachers will help you complete the assignment successfully. Ask them what they think about modern education and what changes should be implemented in order to improve it. After that, gather their ideas and create a list of pros and cons of modern education.

Of course, you don’t have to talk about major problems and changes in education if you don’t want to. There are many other persuasive compare and contrast essay topics related to this sphere if you are willing to write about it. You can discuss the importance of different subjects, extracurricular activities, school clubs, etc. 

Here is the list of some

1. Public or private school: Which one is better?

2. Online education or classroom education: Which one is more effective?

3. School vs. college: What are the main similarities and differences?

4. Boarding schools vs. day schools: What are their advantages and disadvantages?

5. SAT or ACT: Which one is the best assessment tool for students’ skills and knowledge?

6. Should a person have two or more degrees in the field? What are the benefits?

7. Studying abroad vs. taking local courses: What is more advantageous?

8. College tests vs. high school exams: Which one is more important and difficult?

9. STEM education vs. humanities education: Which one is more beneficial for future careers?

10. Single-gender schools vs. coeducational schools: Which is more effective for student development?

11. Traditional grading system vs. pass/fail grading: Which one encourages better learning outcomes?

Science and Technology Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

1. Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence

2. Traditional Medicine vs. Modern Medicine

3. Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy Sources

4. Physical Books vs. E-books

5. Online Shopping vs. In-Store Shopping

6. Electric Cars vs. Gasoline Cars

7. Android vs. iOS: Which is better?

8. Smart Homes vs. Traditional Homes

9. Virtual Reality vs. Augmented Reality

10. Online Learning vs. Traditional Classroom Learning

11. Space Exploration by Humans vs. Space Exploration by Robots

Easy compare and contrast essay topics

If you are pressed for time, but still have to write a compare and contrast essay, you can use some of the topics presented in this article. However, even though the topic you have chosen is quite easy, it is necessary to make some efforts and write a high-quality paper. Make sure the essay requirements provided by the teacher or professor are met, sources and quotes are cited, and grammar is checked. Here is the list of easy essay topics for your consideration:

1. Reading vs. watching: Which one is better for getting new information?

2. Flying or driving: Which one is safer?

3. Freelance or office work jobs: What working conditions are better?

4. Public transportation vs. private transportation: What is the best way to get to work or school?

5. City life vs. village life: Where does one feel more comfortable?

6. The elderly vs. the youth: What are the differences in lifestyle?

7. TV or newspapers: Where to get the news from?

8. Living in a big family vs. being the only child in the family

9. Vacations on the beach or in the mountains?

10. Coffee vs. tea: What effects do they have on our organism?

11. Computer games vs. board games: Which is more entertaining?

12. Cooking at home vs. eating out: Which is healthier and more budget-friendly?

Business and Economics Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

1. Entrepreneurship vs. Corporate Jobs

2. Traditional Marketing vs. Digital Marketing

3. Freelancing vs. Full-Time Employment

4. Small Businesses vs. Large Corporations

5. Stock Market vs. Real Estate Investment

6. Local Businesses vs. Global Companies

7. Leadership vs. Management: Key Differences

8. Public Sector vs. Private Sector Jobs

9. Economic Growth vs. Economic Development

10. Cryptocurrency vs. Traditional Banking

11. Business Ethics vs. Corporate Social Responsibility: What matters more?

12. E-commerce vs. Brick-and-Mortar Stores: Which is more sustainable in the long run?

Legal topics for compare and contrast essay

Compare and contrast essays on legal studies are pretty popular, so many students choose this topic for their papers. The reason is quite simple: there are always debates about legal matters, and it’s interesting to discuss them. Also, there are lots of available resources to use while writing your essay, so there should not be any problem with doing your research.

There is a variety of interesting compare and contrast essay topics you can choose from; you can describe laws you would like to create or offer some changes to already existing ones. You can also write about controversial issues and laws that spark numerous debates in society.

Here are great compare and contrast topics related to law:

1. Cigarettes vs. Marijuana: What should be outlawed?

2. Higher vs. Lower Drinking Age: Which one is appropriate?

3. Criminal vs. Civil Justice: What is the difference?

4. Law System of Past Centuries vs. Modern Law System: What are the main differences, and which one worked more effectively?

5. Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life: Should abortion be legalized?

6. Should Parents Be Responsible for Their Children's Crimes?

7. Gun Control vs. Gun Rights: Which Policy Ensures More Safety?

8. Death Penalty vs. Life Imprisonment: Which is a more effective punishment?

9. Copyright Law vs. Patent Law: What are the key differences, and why do they matter?

10. International Law vs. National Law: Which one has more power in global conflicts?

11. Juvenile Justice vs. Adult Justice: Should minors be tried as adults for serious crimes?

12. Mandatory Sentencing vs. Judicial Discretion: Which system leads to fairer outcomes?

Sports and Health Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

1. Gym Workouts vs. Home Workouts

2. Yoga vs. Pilates: Which is more effective?

3. Football vs. Basketball: Which is more popular?

4. Team Sports vs. Individual Sports

5. Strength Training vs. Cardio Workouts

6. Organic vs. Non-Organic Food: Which is healthier?

7. Vegan Diet vs. Keto Diet

8. Water Sports vs. Winter Sports

9. Mental Health Therapy vs. Meditation

10. Walking vs. Running for Fitness

11. Traditional Medicine vs. Alternative Medicine: Which is more effective for long-term health?

12. Cycling vs. Swimming: Which is the better full-body workout?

List of compare and contrast essay topics on morality and ethics

Essays on moral and ethical topics are one of the most popular ones among college students. There is a great number of topics available, for example, animal testing and the freedom of speech.

Many of the topics still spark numerous debates since everybody has a different opinion of what should be considered as right or wrong. Some of these topics may be related to the judicial field; for example, the death penalty or abortion legalization.

When you write an essay on moral topics, describe the problem from different points of view, showing different sides of the same issue.

Make sure that you don’t let your emotions take over your mind. You have to remain reserved, and if you are willing to express your opinion in the essay, don’t mock an opposite viewpoint.

1. Death Penalty vs. Life Imprisonment: What is the best way to do justice?

2. Volunteer Work vs. Paid Work: Which gives more benefits?

3. Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech: Where should we draw the line?

4. Child Labor: How to fight against slavery and work that deprives children of their childhood?

5. Meat-Eating vs. Vegetarianism: Is it ethical to eat animals?

6. Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life: What is the right decision?

7. Should Prostitution Be Legalized?

8. Dermatological Testing vs. Animal Testing: Should we abandon animal testing and use alternatives?

9. Traditional vs. Alternative Energy Sources: What is the cost of both, and which causes less pollution?

10. Organ Donation vs. Organ Selling: Is it ethical to sell organs for transplant?

11. Corporate Social Responsibility vs. Profit Maximization: What is the ethical choice for businesses?

12. Social Media Influence vs. Privacy Rights: How much should companies be allowed to invade personal privacy for profit?

Literature and Media Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

1. Books vs. Movies: Which tells a better story?

2. Fiction vs. Non-fiction: Which is more influential?

3. Netflix vs. Traditional Cable TV

4. Superhero Movies vs. Classic Films

5. Poetry vs. Prose: Which is more expressive?

6. Printed Newspapers vs. Online News Platforms

7. Animation vs. Live-Action Movies

8. Reality TV vs. Scripted TV Shows

9. Social Media vs. Traditional News Outlets

10. American vs. British Literature Styles

11. Classic Novels vs. Modern Novels: Which offers more depth?

12. Documentaries vs. Feature Films: Which one provides more accurate information?

Deep compare and contrast essay topics

Sometimes you want to go below the surface and discover a deeper meaning of some simple things. It is a great chance to use your ideas and write a compare and contrast essay on philosophical topics.

Philosophical topics might be controversial since a lot of things can be explained from different perspectives; therefore, it is not so easy to determine the truth. It is critical to use some outside sources to find out more about the issue you are going to discuss because collecting diverse information will help you greatly. Search essays on the subject you picked to see how other writers consider this problem.

Here are some unique compare and contrast essay topics on philosophy:

1. Life and Death: Philosophical views

2. Animals vs. Humans: Are we more similar to animals than we think?

3. Physical vs. Mental Needs of Humans: What is more important to us?

4. Selfishness vs. Altruism: Which one drives human evolution?

5. Is Happiness Derived from Helping Others or from Getting Material Goods?

6. Wisdom vs. Intelligence: What is the difference?

7. Is It Better to Be a Realist or a Dreamer?

8. Music vs. Poetry: Do they affect us in the same way?

9. Friends or Enemies: Who can be more dangerous?

10. Childhood vs. Adulthood: How does life change when you get more responsibilities?

11. Freedom vs. Security: Which is more important for a fulfilling life?

12. Nature vs. Nurture: Which plays a bigger role in shaping who we are?

Lifestyle and Society Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

1. City Life vs. Country Life

2. Public Transport vs. Private Cars

3. Online Friendships vs. Real-Life Friendships

4. Minimalist Lifestyle vs. Consumerist Lifestyle

5. Traditional Families vs. Modern Families

6. Working from Home vs. Office Work

7. Solo Travel vs. Group Travel

8. Fast Food vs. Home-Cooked Meals

9. Living in a Dorm vs. Living Off-Campus

10. Parenting Styles: Strict vs. Lenient

11. Social Media vs. Face-to-Face Communication

12. Single Life vs. Married Life: Which offers more freedom or fulfillment?

Compare and contrast essay topics for college students

Compare and contrast essay is a common task in college, so you will probably get it assigned to you at some point. Here are some great compare and contrast essay topics college-level institutions will find suitable:

1. Research Paper vs. Essay: Which one is more difficult to write?

2. Comparing Two Different Political Leaders (For example, Donald Trump vs. Margaret Thatcher).

3. Communism vs. Capitalism

4. Theory vs. Practice: Which one gives a better learning experience?

5. British vs. American Education Systems: Which one is more efficient?

6. Full-time vs. Part-time College Studies: Which is better for students?

7. Online Learning vs. In-Person Classes

8. College Life vs. High School Life

9. Studying Abroad vs. Staying Local for College

10. Private Colleges vs. Public Universities

11. Group Work vs. Individual Work: Which is more effective in college?

12. Internships vs. Part-time Jobs: Which offers more career benefits for students?

Best compare and contrast essay topics about politics and history

As the link between politics and history is strong, writing about these subjects means doing a lot of research. Make sure to study as much information as possible to cover the topic.

You should use only reliable and academic resources for your essay to avoid presenting inaccurate information. Here we have the list of interesting topics on Politics and History:

1. American Government vs. Soviet Government: How different were they? (You can also compare two other governments.)

2. North and South Before the Civil War in the US

3. Fascism vs. Nazism: Are they different or the same?

4. Karl Marx vs. Adam Smith: How are their ideas connected?

5. Republicans vs. Democrats: What do these parties stand for?

6. Maya vs. Aztec Civilizations: How similar were they?

7. Renaissance vs. Baroque Epoch: What are the key differences between them?

8. Lincoln vs. Washington: Compare their ideas.

9. The Great Depression vs. The Great Recession

10. World War I vs. World War II: What were the key causes and consequences?

11. Cold War vs. The War on Terror: How do the strategies and ideologies compare?

12. Monarchy vs. Democracy: What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Compare and contrast essay topics for high school students

Compare and contrast essay is also a popular type of essay in high school. From time to time, teachers might ask their students to work on this kind of assignment.

It is not a difficult task, but it is better to make sure that the teacher’s instructions are followed.

Here is a list of popular compare and contrast essay topics for high school students:

1. Compare Book and Movie Characters

2. European History vs. US History

3. Poetry vs. Prose: How do both genres influence literature?

4. Social Networks: Pick two social networks and compare their advantages and disadvantages.

5. Online Courses vs. Traditional Courses: What are the pros and cons of both?

6. Reading a Paper Book or an E-book: What are the benefits of both?

7. Gender Roles in Different Parts of the World (For example, the Western world vs. Eastern world).

8. Compare Two Different Genres of Music

9. Fiction vs. Non-fiction: What is the main difference?

10. Public School vs. Private School: Which is more effective for students?

11. Summer vs. Winter: Which season has more benefits?

12. High School Life vs. College Life: How does it change as you transition?

Tips for Writing a Compare and Contrast Essay

Choose a Topic

Pick something that interests you. Browse online for inspiration, or use topics provided by services like ours.

Select a Structure

Choose between point-by-point or block structure unless specific instructions dictate otherwise.

Write an Introduction

Provide basic information about the subjects being compared and introduce your thesis statement. Make it engaging with a hook, such as an interesting fact or a provocative question.

Develop a Strong Thesis

Narrow down a broad topic for clear direction. For example, change “School vs. College” to “School vs. College: Main Similarities and Differences.” Make your thesis specific, not just a general statement.

Write the Body

Each paragraph should include evidence, analysis, and how it relates to the thesis. Choose the tone based on the topic; academic topics may require specific language, while lighter topics may not.

Research Thoroughly

Gather and organize relevant information before writing. Use detailed, lesser-known facts to provide depth and cover both positive and negative aspects.

Conclude Effectively

Summarize the main points, reinforce the thesis, and leave the reader with something to think about.

Final Thoughts

So, as you have come to the end of this article, you can see that there are many compare and contrast essay topics you can choose from.

The only thing you have to remember about picking the topic is that it has to be interesting for you. When you write about something that you are passionate about, it is more probable that people will appreciate your efforts. Do your research, learn more about grammar and punctuation, practice daily, and, most importantly, believe in yourself and you will succeed!