145 Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

A student uses compare and contrast essay topics to find similarities and differences between two subjects. These essays are a core part of education for middle to high school and college students. If you are a student looking for the best compare contrast topics, don’t overlook this guide.

Whether you want a topic for an academic major, fun-related things, controversies, hobbies, sports, etc., we have all you need. We also provide tips on choosing a topic and 2 templates with a pre-adjusted compare contrast outline.

Why We Compiled Lists of Best Compare and Contrast Essay Topics?

We have identified that sometimes students choose a random topic for their compare-and-contrast essay or even have no idea what topic to choose. As a result, they end up with very limited research and cannot find enough similarities and differences to justify their essay.

That’s why we compiled the list of best compare contrast writing topics. Each idea is well-researched and has ample similarities and differences available on the Internet.

How to Choose the Best Topic for Compare and Contrast Essays?

In the previous section, we discussed why we created the collection of compare and contrast essay topics. But from hundreds of ideas, which one is right for you? Here, we provide the best tips to help you choose a topic on your own.

• To find interesting topics for compare and contrast essays, first go through the whole list.
• Pick at least 5 topics of your personal interest and also keep your audience in mind.
• Now, start doing research about the chosen topics.
• If there are any compare contrast subjects that are difficult to research or have limited similarities and differences, remove them from the list.
• Once there only 2 to 3 best options left, hand them over to your peers and experts for a final review.
• Finally, choose one topic that passes all these steps, and that topic will surely help you get an A grade.

Best Topics for Academic Compare and Contrast Essays

Every academic student has a different skill set and essay requirements. Therefore, we compile the below lists of compare and contrast ideas that fit all academic level students.

Grade 2 to Grade 5 Compare and Contrast Essay Ideas

Below we provide easy to write, compare and contrast essay topics for elementary level kids.

• Similarities and differences between pencil vs pen.
• Homework vs schoolwork.
• Book vs copy.
• Mother vs father: who is best?
• Home vs school.
• Rainy day vs sunny day.
• Summer and winter compare and contrast.
• Walking or cycling?
• Sandwich vs. pizza.
• Forest vs ocean.

Middle School Compare and Contrast Topics

These compare and contrast essay topics provide teachers and students with easy and engaging ideas for home and class work.

• Public schooling vs private schooling.
• Online classes vs on-campus classes.
• Vegetarian vs non-vegetarian.
• Physical games vs online games.
• Reading or writing habits: which is best?
• Differences and similarities in swimming vs cycling.
• Co-education vs. single-gender education.
• Teacher vs student.
• Mountain life vs city life.
• School uniform vs casual clothes.

Compare and Contrast Essay Template for Kids

A professionally designed template with a proper compare contrast outline for grade 2 to middle school is here. Choose any topic for a compare and contrast essay now and begin writing.

Compare and Contrast Essay Template PDF

High School Compare and Contrast Essay Ideas

Writing an assignment on compare and contrast essay would be easier for high school students if they choose ideas from the below list.

• Netflix vs. book reading.
• Android phone vs iPhone.
• Debate on mythology vs science.
• Compare and contrast adulthood vs childhood.
• TikTok vs Instagram.
• Mountain camping vs. beach camping.
• Assignments vs quizzes.
• Public transport vs private transport.
• English speaking in a British accent vs. an American accent.
• Peer pressure in middle school vs. high school.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for College Students

College students don’t miss out the below list of engaging compare and contrast essay ideas.

• Math equation vs expression.
• Expensive vs cheap cars for college students.
• Student council vs class council.
• Chat GPT vs handwritten assignment in college.
• Life in living on campus vs. off campus.
• Social media life vs real life.
• Compare and contrast high school and college.
• Renewable energy sources vs fossil fuels.
• Part-time vs full-time job during college.
• Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi.
• Bachelor of Science vs Bachelor of Arts.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics for University Students

To make the compare and contrast essay writing task easier, below we add a list of 10 most demanding ideas for university fellas.

• Similarities and difference between college and university.
• Academic research vs industry experience.
• Dictatorship vs democracy in a country.
• American education vs British education.
• Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris.
• Online shopping vs traditional shopping.
• Poetry vs philosophy.
• Human brain vs Robot brain.
• Custody of law vs jurisdiction over the person.
• On-site employment versus freelancing.

Compare and Contrast Essay Template for Senior Students

Students from high school and college can download the template below to write a compare and contrast essay. This sample format already has a comparative essay structure. All you need is to just fill it with an introduction, similarities, differences, and finally, a conclusion.

Compare and Contrast Essay Template PDF

Easy To Attempt Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Here, we provide a mix of topics for compare and contrast essay which includes ideas from the sports category, animals, entertainment, and hobbies. These topics are quite interesting and require less effort than the above topics.

Sports Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

Students who are more focused towards sports related activities in school or college may write an essay on below given compare and contrast topics.

• Basketball vs football.
• Similarities and differences between Formula 1 vs off-road race.
• American football vs soccer.
• Weightlifting vs cardio for weight loss.
• Snowboarding vs surfing.
• Morning exercise vs evening exercise.
• Similarities and differences in ice hockey vs field hockey.
• Olympic vs Paralympics.
• Compare and contrast the Ronaldo vs Messi skills.
• The difference between street biking and mountain biking.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Animals

When comparing and contrasting animals in your essay, you can follow the topics from this list.

• Snow leopard vs tiger.
• Bald eagle vs golden eagle: See who wins.
• Wildlife conservation area vs. animal Zoo.
• Blue whale vs. extinct megalodon.
• Dog vs Cat: who is more loyal?
• Compare and contrast between Crocodiles and hippos.
• Domestic lions vs wild lions.
• Snakes vs lizards.
• The Differences and similarities between the needs of a Hamster and a Sugar Glider.
• Parrot vs parakeet: Differences and similarities.

Entertainment and Fun Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

To write a compare and contrast essay about fun and entertainment, pick up a good topic from the below list.

• Soundcloud vs Spotify music.
• Stand-up comedy versus talk show.
• Zombie apocalypse vs robot apocalypse.
• Disney princesses vs Shrek princesses.
• Harry Potter magic vs gun technology.
• Wearing Pajamas All Day vs Dressing Up for No Reason.
• Girl’s Intelligence vs Boy’s Intelligence.
• New Yorker Thin Crust or Chicago Deep Dish Pizza? Which is the best?
• Emoji usage on a serious text vs. emoji usage on a flirty text.
• Trying to be an adult vs. Pretending to be an adult.

Comparison and Contrast Essay Topic Ideas About Hobbies

Students who make a hobby in their life may compare and contrast ideas about hobbies.

• Painting vs photography.
• Rock climbing vs skydiving.
• Dancing and gymnastics.
• Gardening vs farming.
• What is better: chess vs. checker.
• Cooking vs baking.
• Horse riding vs car drifting.
• Fishing versus hunting.
• Woodworking vs archery.
• Roller skating vs ice skating.

Compare and Contrast Essay Ideas About Academic Majors

In academics, there are a lot of majors in which students are pursuing their degrees. A psychology student will be more interested in psychology-related essays, while a history student will be more interested in the past. Here, you will find the most thought-provoking subject by subject comparison topics related to academic majors in school and college.

Psychology

A good compare and contrast essay topic in psychology could be:

• Homicide vs femicide.
• Maslow hierarchy of needs vs Bloom’s taxonomy.
• Analyzing the differences and similarities between depression and anxiety.
• Mental disorder versus mental illness.
• Bipolar disorder vs schizophrenia.

Biology

Choose a good biology compare and contrast topic from here.

• Plant cells vs animal cells.
• Process of mitosis vs meiosis.
• DNA structure vs RNA structure.
• Evolution theory vs creation theory.
• Differences and similarities between wild and cultured plants.

Science and Technology

Students passionate about science and technology could write compare-and-contrast essays on topics such as.

• Quantum computing vs classical computing.
• Comparing and differentiation NASA versus Spacex.
• 5g network vs regular wifi.
• Augmented reality vs virtual reality.
• Time travel vs teleportation.

Language Arts

For a language arts compare and contrast essay, you can choose a topic like:

• Grammar vs spelling mistakes.
• To Kill a Mockingbird” vs. “The Catcher in the Rye.
• Formal vs informal writing.
• Mystery vs. Thriller.
• Mark Twain vs. Ernest Hemingway.

History

Historical enthusiasts are welcome to choose to compare and contrast essay ideas from the list.

• World War I vs World War II.
• 1920s Vs. 1960s American Culture.
• American civil war vs American revolution.
• History of Ottoman Empire vs modern Turkey.
• Economic history of Europe vs America.

Healthcare

Students from the healthcare and nursing field could choose a compare and contrast easy idea from the given list.

• Private healthcare vs public healthcare.
• Traditional medicine and alternative therapies.
• Healthcare access to rural population vs urban population.
• Artificial Intelligence versus clinicians in disease diagnosis.
• Drug consumption and health issues.

Some Other Valuable Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

If you love politics, are curious about the environment, or are passionate about exploring recent controversies, these good topics for compare and contrast are a perfect fit for you.

Politics

Whether you want to compare and contrast 2 political personalities or agendas, follow the below list.

• Gun control laws vs crime rates.
• Social welfare program versus political contributions.
• Role of Media in USA vs China.
• Election campaigns vs voting.
• Political activities in the 20th century vs the 21st century.

Controversial

Controversial compare and contrast essay topics could include

• Climate change and global warming.
• Death penalty vs lifetime imprisonment.
• Border control vs immigration.
• The war between Israel and Palestine.
• Gender equality vs feminism.

Environment

Explore the best topics that compare and contrast the top environmental issues in real life.

• Fossil fuels vs nuclear energy.
• Deforestation vs reforestation.
• Air pollution versus water pollution.
• Food safety versus food security.
• Natural resources vs environmental science.

Ielts

Follow these 5 engaging compare and contrast topics about Ielts

• News vs entertainment.
• Soft drinks vs alcohol.
• Cyberbullying vs traditional bullying.
• Family business vs job.
• Religious freedom vs religious liberty.

Personal

Below are the most reliable subjects for choosing a relevant personal topic to contrast and compare.

• Child life vs adult life.
• Your relationship with parents vs siblings.
• Choosing between two career paths.
• Your first job compared to your current job.
• A vacation in the mountains vs staying at home.

Compare and Contrast Essay Examples

Writing a compare and contrast essay on any topic will be easier for you if you have comprehensive examples in hand.

Compare and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism essay and the Egypt and Mesopotamia compare and contrast essay are two examples that we have explained in detail.

Reading these free compare and contrast essay examples will provide you with a more detailed understanding of how to write a compare and contrast essay.

Need Help in Writing an Effective Compare and Contrast Essay?

You may have chosen compare and contrast essay topics, but what about writing it? Well, we got the answer. We have written a comprehensive guide about how to write a compare and contrast essay for your ease.

But if you have some pennies in your pocket and want someone to write your compare and contrast essay, our best essay writing services will also handle it at a discounted price.

Final Thoughts: Decide on the Best Topic for You

Writing a compare and contrast essay becomes easier if you have the right topic in your hand. Therefore, to help you out, we offer plenty of compare and contrast essay topics ranging from academic level to academic majors.

But don’t forget the essential tips before choosing any topic of your interest. If you follow these guidelines correctly, selecting good titles for compare and contrast essays will be much easier.