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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region

71 Colleges in the United States
$24,094 Avg Student Debt
$59,813 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General English Literature Badge [General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 226 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general english literature students.

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2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General English Literature Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in general english literature in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,066. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $22,520. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $29,580. Set against $22,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $12,525. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $16,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature 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%.

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for general english literature. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $49,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

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University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $24,485. General English Literature graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

Purdue University Northwest came in at #7 for value in general english literature this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,279 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,171. That is a strong return on a $26,279 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $20,961. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $37,031. Set against $20,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

9

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #9 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $27,234. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northeastern Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for general english literature. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $19,000. General English Literature 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.

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Northern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in general english literature this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,375. General English Literature graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $38,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $31,000. General English Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $32,758 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Southern Indiana placed #14 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $22,480. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $35,062. Set against $22,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

15

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #15 position for value in general english literature this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $32,574 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $39,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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Western Illinois University placed #16 among the best values for general english literature. 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 general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $36,430. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

17

Saint Xavier University landed the #17 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career general english 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.

18

Indiana University East came in at #18 for value in general english literature this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. General English Literature 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. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.

19

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $31,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

20

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $18,948. General English Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $43,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #21 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $17,888. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $24,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

22
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #22 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,990 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature 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%.

23

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $40,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

24
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #24 among the best values for general english literature. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #25 for value in general english literature this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $24,930. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,896. Set against $24,930 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General English Literature Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general english literature this year:

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37
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
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49
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
50
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Narrow General English Literature Schools by State

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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 · 226 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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