2027 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in Illinois
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for english & language arts education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in Illinois
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
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value english & language arts education schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students borrow a median of $27,194 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english & language arts education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $59,586. Set against $25,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english & language arts education will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #4. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $21,182. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $51,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english & language arts education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $51,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Trinity Christian College came in at #6 for value in english & language arts education this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $44,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #7 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $51,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University earned the #8 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $58,852. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $42,917. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #10 for value in english & language arts education this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $45,145. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Elmhurst College landed the #11 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $46,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Depaul University earned the #12 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,910 in student loans. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $52,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
More English & Language Arts Education Rankings
View All English & Language Arts Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
