2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 247 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
College Of Dupage tops our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools in the Great Lakes Region. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,492. English Language & Literature graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for english language & literature. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #3 place for english language & literature. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $22,520. English Language & Literature 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. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #5 place for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #6 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,636. That is a strong return on a $20,017 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest placed #8 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,279 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $31,171 early in their careers. Set against $26,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,112 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. English Language & 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%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #12 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,239 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $31,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #13 position for value in english language & 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. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,162. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,162 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for english language & literature value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $38,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #15 for value in english language & literature this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $32,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $23,508. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #17 spot for english language & literature value this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $32,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $39,358. Set against $32,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #18 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $56,998. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
Western Illinois University landed the #19 spot for english language & literature value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,430. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #20 for value in english language & literature this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $22,480 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $35,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,480 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #21 among the best values for english language & literature. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $45,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Xavier University placed #22 among the best values for english language & literature. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University East ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $28,920. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #24 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $31,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #25 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $18,948 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $43,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english language & literature:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 247 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
