2027 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[English & Language Arts Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/english-language-arts-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english & language arts education students.
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2027 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english & language arts education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools
For return on investment in english & language arts education, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,732. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for english & language arts education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $46,835. That is a strong return on a $27,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english & language arts education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $47,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english & language arts education, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $45,862. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #5 place for english & language arts education. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $48,925. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Ferris State University earned the #6 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $29,076 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $44,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,076 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in english & language arts education this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #8 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,550 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,021 early in their careers. Set against $28,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #9 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,182 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $51,816. That is a strong return on a $21,182 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #10 for value in english & language arts education this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,058. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #11 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $52,656 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #12 among the best values for english & language arts education. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #13 position for value in english & language arts education this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $43,077. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $59,586. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Albion College earned the #15 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,047 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $43,301. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $49,745. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,751 in student loans. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $33,398. Set against $26,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $48,767. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #19 among the best values for english & language arts education. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $25,719. English & Language Arts Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. Set against $25,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #20 for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $28,500. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $51,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $49,282. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #22 for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. English & Language Arts Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $39,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #23 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $33,307 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,372. Set against $33,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $26,904. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #25 for value in english & language arts education this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,225 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $43,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,225 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for english & language arts education this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.