by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for english in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,750. Early-career english graduates make about $31,066. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #2 place for english. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $22,520 in student loans. English graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $29,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for english. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,961 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $37,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. English graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $36,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for english. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. English graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. English graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #6 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. English graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. English graduates carry a median of $32,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $39,358. That is a strong return on a $32,574 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University placed #8 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,735. English graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University placed #9 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #10 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $31,420 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #11 for value in english this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $25,053 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $31,933. Set against $25,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #12 spot for english value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. English graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #13 among the best values for english. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. English graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. English graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $24,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $39,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,507. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College placed #16 among the best values for english. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $33,947. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Roosevelt University placed #17 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. English graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $50,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #18 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. English graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $54,513. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #19 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $32,723. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwestern University placed #20 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for english graduates is $15,564. English graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $31,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,564 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College placed #21 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,402. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $32,982. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #22 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,499. Early-career english graduates make about $28,660. Set against $23,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #23 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $28,640. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.