2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in Illinois
[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for general english literature students.
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2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General English Literature Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for general english literature 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 general english literature graduates is $18,750. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,066. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $22,520 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $29,580. Set against $22,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,961 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #4 place for general english literature. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $36,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature 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 landed the #6 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,375. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $38,938. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $32,574 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $39,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Xavier University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University placed #9 among the best values for general english literature. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,250. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,053. General English Literature graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $31,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #12 position for value in general english literature this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $44,397. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,500. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $24,145. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University landed the #14 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $39,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Aurora University placed #15 among the best values for general english literature. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College earned the #16 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $33,947 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Roosevelt University came in at #17 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $23,879. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $50,101. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $54,513. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #19 among the best values for general english literature. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $21,500. General English Literature graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $32,723 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,564 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $31,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Lake Forest College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $32,982 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Depaul University placed #22 among the best values for general english literature. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,499 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $28,660. Set against $23,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago placed #23 among the best values for general english literature. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $28,640. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
More General English Literature Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
