2027 Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois
English Language & Literature degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english language & literature students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for English Language & Literature in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall english language & literature education in Illinois.
Top Schools in English Language & Literature
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for english language & literature. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 60 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $31,748 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,564.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Northwestern University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for english language & literature. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school 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. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $44,397 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for english language & literature. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 121 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $25,667 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,162 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $32,723 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 97 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $31,066 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
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Illinois State University landed the #6 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 107 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $39,563 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
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Loyola University Chicago came in at #7 for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 61 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $28,640 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full english language & literature program report for Loyola University Chicago
Depaul University landed the #8 spot for english language & literature this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 106 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $48,189. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $23,499 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for Depaul University
Aurora University came in at #9 for english language & literature this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $51,483 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507.
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Elmhurst College came in at #10 for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $33,571. Typical student debt for the program is $23,106.
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Northeastern Illinois University earned the #11 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $36,594 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
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College Of Dupage earned the #12 position for english language & literature this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. College Of Dupage awarded about 14 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $43,025 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
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Lake Forest College landed the #13 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $32,982. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full english language & literature program report for Lake Forest College
Northern Illinois University earned the #14 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,938. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Illinois University landed the #15 spot for english language & literature this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 83 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $31,933. Typical student debt for the program is $25,053.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Eastern Illinois University
Dominican University came in at #16 for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Dominican University awarded about 16 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans.
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #17 among the best english language & literature schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 43 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $31,420 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Western Illinois University placed #18 among the best english language & literature schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Western Illinois University awarded about 20 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $36,430 in their early career. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Western Illinois University
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago awarded about 29 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $37,157 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Columbia College Chicago placed #20 among the best english language & literature schools. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,516 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #21 position for english language & literature this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $39,358 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,574 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Illinois At Springfield
Knox College landed the #22 spot for english language & literature this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Galesburg. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 24 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Knox College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $15,466. Knox College graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans.
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Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #23 for english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $24,145 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
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More English Language & Literature Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.
- 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.
