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2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

27 Ranked Colleges
1,707 Degrees Awarded
$14,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

English Language & Literature is the 16th most popular major in the country with 56,860 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, English language and literature graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $27,873 and had an average of $24,681 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 1,707 English language and literature graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,329 and $24,956 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in English language and literature. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality English language and literature programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the English language and literature program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $1,866 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $2,712 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UChicago.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about English Language & Literature at University of Chicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 188 degrees to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #3 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $5,477 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UIUC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 97 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $10,648 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UIC

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 64 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also took the #20 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,055 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Full SIUE English Language & Literature Report

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. NIU is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,281 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Northern Illinois University

#7

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Governors State University is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, GSU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GSU is $10,872 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at GSU

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 130 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,470 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois State.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Illinois State University English Language & Literature Report

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 42 degrees to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #18 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $12,350 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend EIU.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Eastern Illinois University

#10

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. It awarded 42 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $18,440 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Wheaton College Illinois

#11

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Elmhurst is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $16,903 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Elmhurst

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $13,658 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SIUC English Language & Literature Report

#13

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Aurora, Illinois, and it awarded 16 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Aurora is $14,103 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Aurora

#14

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bloomington, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois Wesleyan has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,570 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Illinois Wesleyan University

#15

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Jacksonville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2019-2020.

Illinois College also took the #22 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,376 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois College.

Full Illinois College English Language & Literature Report

#16

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 32 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $13,942 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at WIU

With a ranking of #17, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 77 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,816 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University English Language & Literature Report

#18

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, McKendree University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. McKendree University is a small school located in Lebanon, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, McKendree has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,184 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend McKendree.

Read more about English Language & Literature at McKendree University

#19

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knox College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Galesburg, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,828 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Knox College.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Knox College

#20

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augustana is located in Rock Island, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

Augustana not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $20,355 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Augustana College English Language & Literature Report

#21

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Central College is located in Naperville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

North Central also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend North Central College is $18,889 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at North Central

#22

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,178 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NLU.

Read more about English Language & Literature at NLU

#23

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt is $20,398 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Roosevelt University

#24

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 78 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $27,120 for illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Columbia.

Full Columbia College Chicago English Language & Literature Report

#25

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. DePaul University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 110 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, DePaul has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $26,173 for Illinois English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full DePaul University English Language & Literature Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Mike Hazard.

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