2026 Best Value English Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 226 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english schools.
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2026 Best Value English Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value english schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. English graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. English 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. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,520 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $29,580. That is a strong return on a $22,520 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for english graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for english. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,937 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,742. That is a strong return on a $16,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,500. English graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $49,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #6 spot for english value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $40,365. Set against $24,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #7 position for value in english this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $26,279 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $31,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,961. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $37,031. That is a strong return on a $20,961 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for english. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #11 for value in english this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. English graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $38,938. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #12 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for english graduates is $31,000. Early-career english graduates make about $32,758. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #13 for value in english this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. 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 program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $35,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. 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. Typical student debt for english graduates is $32,574. Early-career english graduates make about $39,358. Set against $32,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Illinois University landed the #16 spot for english value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,750. English graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $36,430 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $51,753. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University East ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,991. English graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $28,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $31,420. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in english this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,948 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $43,576. That is a strong return on a $18,948 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,888. Early-career english graduates make about $24,853. That is a strong return on a $17,888 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,990 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $31,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #23 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $40,812. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
Dominican University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #25 for value in english this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,930 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $31,896. That is a strong return on a $24,930 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for english this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 226 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
