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2027 Best English Schools in the Great Lakes Region

81 Colleges in the United States
2,959 English Degrees Awarded
$35,629 Avg Early-Career Salary

English is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best english schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for English in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall english education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in English

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for english. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 english students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. English graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $31,748 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,564. More information about a degree in english from Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 93 english degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $33,742 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,937 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for english. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 92 english students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. English graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,031 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,961. Read more about the english program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 31 english degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Chicago earn around $44,397 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Read more about the english program at University Of Chicago

5
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

A rank of #5 makes Butler University one of the top schools for english. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. Butler University awarded about 16 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. Get the full english details for Butler University

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best english schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 130 english students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. English graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $28,526 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

7
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best english schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 english students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. English graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $49,806 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in english from Purdue University Main Campus

8

University Of Notre Dame came in at #8 for english this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 27 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $40,345 early in their careers. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in english from University Of Notre Dame

9

Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best english schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 62 english students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. English graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $43,576 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $18,948 in student loans. See the full english program report for Indiana University Bloomington

10
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College came in at #10 for english this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Calvin College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 english students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $44,220 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,707. See the full english program report for Calvin College

11
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #11 for english this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 21 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,122. Get the full english details for Marquette University

12

Wheaton College Illinois placed #12 among the best english schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 44 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $32,723 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full english details for Wheaton College Illinois

13

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #13 for english this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 97 english degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $31,066 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Read more about the english program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

14
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College landed the #14 spot for english this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Gambier. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 english students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $29,962 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for Kenyon College

15
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University placed #15 among the best english schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 13 english degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english program make about $57,104 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,110. More information about a degree in english from Cedarville University

16

University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #16 position for english this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Platteville awarded about 11 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $56,998 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,677. See the full english program report for University Of Wisconsin Platteville

17

Illinois State University came in at #17 for english this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 105 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $39,563 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. Get the full english details for Illinois State University

18

Miami University Oxford placed #18 among the best english schools. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 38 english degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Graduates of the english program make about $40,260 in their early career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the english program at Miami University Oxford

19

University Of Dayton ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best english schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 25 english degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. English graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $30,063 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,398. Read more about the english program at University Of Dayton

20

Saint Norbert College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best english schools. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Norbert College graduates 72% of students within six years. Saint Norbert College awarded about 14 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $48,421 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,578 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at Saint Norbert College

21

Loyola University Chicago ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best english schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 51 english degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $28,640. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full english program report for Loyola University Chicago

22

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best english schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 160 english degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $44,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Get the full english details for Ohio State University Main Campus

23
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #23 position for english this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 english degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $33,947. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full english details for Elmhurst College

24
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #24 among the best english schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 english students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $28,660. Students borrow a median of $23,499 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english from Depaul University

25
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #25 among the best english schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 english students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507. Get the full english details for Aurora University

Rest of the Top 50 English Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english education:

26
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
27
28
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
29
30
31
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
32
33
34
35
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
36
37
38
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
39
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
40
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
41
42
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
43
44
45
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
46
47
48
49
50

View All English Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 81 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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