2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english language & literature education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 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 Illinois
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
For return on investment in english language & literature, no school beat College Of Dupage this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $31,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #3 makes Governors State University one of the best values for english language & literature. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,520 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $29,580. Set against $22,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for english language & literature. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $26,132. Set against $23,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northeastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for english language & 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $38,938 early in their careers. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,430. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #8 spot for english language & literature value this year. 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, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,574 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $39,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,574 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $51,753. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Dominican University landed the #10 spot for english language & literature value this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $25,250. English Language & Literature graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $31,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $25,053 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,933. Set against $25,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #13 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,854. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $44,397 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,500. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $24,145. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #15 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $39,563. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Aurora University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,106 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,575. Set against $23,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Roosevelt University landed the #18 spot for english language & literature value this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $50,101. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Bradley University placed #19 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Knox College landed the #20 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Knox College earn a median of $15,466 early in their careers. Set against $26,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #21 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $32,723. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Columbia College Chicago placed #22 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $29,516. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwestern University earned the #23 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $31,748. Set against $15,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College landed the #24 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,402. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,250. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $32,982. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #25 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $23,499 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $48,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,499 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature value ranking:
More English Language & 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 · 54 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.
