2027 Best Value English Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools to find the best return on investment for english students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value English Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Schools
For return on investment in english, 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. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,750. English graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $31,066 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for english. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $16,937. Early-career english graduates make about $33,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for english. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. English graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $31,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,990 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Dominican University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,236. Early-career english graduates make about $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Dearborn earned it the #5 place for english. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. English graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. English graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $32,758 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. English graduates carry a median of $20,961 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $37,031. Set against $20,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Indiana State University placed #7 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $32,336. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #8 among the best values for english. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $31,016. English graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #9 spot for english value this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $32,574. English graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $39,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,574 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. English graduates carry a median of $26,279 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $31,171. Set against $26,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $27,234. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for english. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $49,806. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Wayne State University placed #13 among the best values for english. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $48,574. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for english value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $25,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $31,933. That is a strong return on a $25,053 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $44,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Indiana University Southeast placed #16 among the best values for english. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $32,235. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East earned the #17 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. English graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. English graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $28,920 early in their careers. Set against $26,991 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #18 for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $22,480 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $35,062. Set against $22,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #19 for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,375. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,938. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #20 for value in english this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University placed #21 among the best values for english. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $36,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $40,812. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #23 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. English graduates carry a median of $24,495 in student loans. English graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $37,586 early in their careers. Set against $24,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Hamilton came in at #24 for value in english this year. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $27,356 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Middletown earned the #25 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $27,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for english 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 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.
