2027 Best Value General English Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general english literature 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 general english literature students.
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2027 Best Value General English Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General English Literature Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in general english literature in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $16,937. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,742. That is a strong return on a $16,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Oakland University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. General English Literature 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dominican University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,236. Early-career general english literature 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 general english literature. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $31,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $32,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. 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 general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $37,031 early in their careers. 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 came in at #7 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $32,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #8 position for value in general english literature this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $31,016. General English Literature 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #9 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $32,574. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $39,358. Set against $32,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #10 for value in general english literature this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,279 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $31,171 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,234 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $49,806. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Wayne State University earned the #13 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $48,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #14 position for value in general english literature 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,053. Soon after graduation, general english literature 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 landed the #15 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,854. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $44,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #16 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $32,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University East came in at #17 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $28,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #18 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $22,480 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $35,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northern Illinois University landed the #19 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,938. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $36,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Western Illinois University earned the #21 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $36,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #22 among the best values for general english literature. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature 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. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #23 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,495 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $37,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Miami University Hamilton placed #24 among the best values for general english literature. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $27,356. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Middletown came in at #25 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $27,000. General English Literature graduates of Miami University Middletown earn a median of $27,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General English Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general english literature value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 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.
