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2027 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region

94 Colleges in the United States
4,246 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$34,285 Avg Early-Career Salary

English Language & Literature is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their english language & literature programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools to find the best for english language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for English Language & Literature in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall english language & literature education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in English Language & Literature

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for english language & literature. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Northwestern University earn around $31,748 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,564. Get the full english language & literature details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 135 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,452. Students borrow a median of $14,112 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 43 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $44,397 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Chicago

4

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 136 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $28,526 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for english language & literature. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 121 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,667. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

6
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Butler University awarded about 26 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $68,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. See the full english language & literature program report for Butler University

7

University Of Notre Dame earned the #7 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 36 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $40,345 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Notre Dame

8
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #8 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 105 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $26,165 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Purdue University Main Campus

9

Indiana University Bloomington placed #9 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 74 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $43,576 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,948. See the full english language & literature program report for Indiana University Bloomington

10

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #10 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 110 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

11
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 15 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Calvin College

12
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 26 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full english language & literature details for Marquette University

13

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 44 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $32,723. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Wheaton College Illinois

14
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Cedarville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cedarville University awarded about 23 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Cedarville University

15

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 97 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

16
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College earned the #16 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 79 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $29,962. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Kenyon College

17

Miami University Oxford came in at #17 for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 98 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $43,472 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875. Get the full english language & literature details for Miami University Oxford

18

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #18 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 13 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $56,998 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Wisconsin Platteville

19

Illinois State University earned the #19 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 107 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $39,563. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Illinois State University

20
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #20 position for english language & literature this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Denison University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $39,797 in their early career. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Denison University

21

University Of Dayton placed #21 among the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dayton awarded about 25 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $30,063. Typical student debt for the program is $24,398. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Dayton

22

Saint Norbert College placed #22 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Saint Norbert College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $48,421. Saint Norbert College graduates carry a median of $26,578 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Saint Norbert College

23

Loyola University Chicago earned the #23 position for english language & literature this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 61 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $28,640 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Loyola University Chicago

24
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #24 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 106 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $48,189 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,499 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Depaul University

25

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 160 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $44,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Read more about the english language & literature program at Ohio State University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature ranking:

26
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
27
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
28
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN
29
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
30
31
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
32
33
34
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
35
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
36
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
37
38
39
40
41
42
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
43
44
45
46
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
47
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
48
49
50
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 94 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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