2027 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english language & literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
College Of Dupage earned the #1 spot for value among english language & literature schools in Illinois. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $43,025. 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. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #3 makes Dominican University one of the best values for english language & literature. 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $32,574 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for english language & literature. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $25,053 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $31,933 early in their careers. Set against $25,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in english language & literature this year. 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 $25,667. That is a strong return on a $23,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $44,397. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Western Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $36,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. English Language & 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 earned the #10 position for value in english language & literature 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,938. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #11 among the best values for english language & literature. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #12 among the best values for english language & literature. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $24,145. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $39,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Elmhurst College ranked #15 on our 2027 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. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,106. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,571. That is a strong return on a $23,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Knox College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,903. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Knox College earn a median of $15,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #17 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,516. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $32,723. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Lake Forest College earned the #19 position for value in english language & literature this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $32,982. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #20 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $15,564 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,748. That is a strong return on a $15,564 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #21 position for value in english language & literature this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,499 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $48,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #22 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $28,640. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $54,623 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago generally make around $37,157. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago admits about 78% of applicants.
More English Language & Literature Rankings
View All English Language & Literature Rankings >
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
