2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for general english literature in Illinois. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $18,750. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,066. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at Governors State University, which ranked #2. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $22,520 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $29,580. Set against $22,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,961 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $37,031. Set against $20,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

4

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #4 place for general english literature. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $36,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

5

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English 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.

6

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,375. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $38,938. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $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%.

8

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

9

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #9 among the best values for general english literature. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in general english literature this year. 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. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,250. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,053. General English Literature graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $31,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

12

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago earned the #12 position for value in general english literature this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $44,397. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

13

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,500. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $24,145. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University landed the #14 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $39,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #15 among the best values for general english literature. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

16

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #16 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $33,947 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

17

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University came in at #17 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $23,879. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $50,101. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.

18

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $54,513. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

19

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois placed #19 among the best values for general english literature. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $21,500. General English Literature graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $32,723 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.

20

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,564 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $31,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

21

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $32,982 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

22

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #22 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,499 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $28,660. Set against $23,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

23

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #23 among the best values for general english literature. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $28,640. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.