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

71 Colleges in the United States
2,970 General English Literature Degrees Awarded
$36,234 Avg Early-Career Salary

General English Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 226 schools to find the best for general english literature students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General English Literature in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top Schools in General English Literature

1

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for general english literature. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 42 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from Northwestern University earn around $31,748 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,564 to complete this degree. Get the full general english literature details for Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong general english literature program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 105 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $37,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,961 to complete this degree. See the full general english literature program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general english literature, ranking #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 86 general english literature degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $33,742 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $16,937 in student loans. Get the full general english literature details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

4
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general english literature schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 20 general english literature degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from Butler University earn around $68,222 in the first couple years of their career. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Get the full general english literature details for Butler University

5

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 general english literature degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $40,345 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general english literature program at University Of Notre Dame

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #6 spot for general english literature this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 93 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $28,526 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full general english literature program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general english literature schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $44,397 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in general english literature from University Of Chicago

8

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #8 spot for general english literature this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 38 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. General English Literature graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $32,723 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the general english literature program at Wheaton College Illinois

9
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among the best general english literature schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $49,806 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full general english literature details for Purdue University Main Campus

10

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #10 for general english literature this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 65 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general english 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 general english literature program report for Indiana University Bloomington

11

Illinois State University came in at #11 for general english literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 112 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. General English Literature graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $39,563 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. Get the full general english literature details for Illinois State University

12

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #12 for general english literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 80 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Read more about the general english literature program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

13
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University placed #13 among the best general english literature schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 10 general english literature degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. General English Literature graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete this degree. Read more about the general english literature program at Cedarville University

14

University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #14 among the best general english literature schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $56,998 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,677. Get the full general english literature details for University Of Wisconsin Platteville

15
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #15 for general english literature this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $60,443 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,122. Read more about the general english literature program at Marquette University

16

Miami University Oxford ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general english literature schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 general english literature degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. General English Literature graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $40,260 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general english literature from Miami University Oxford

17
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College placed #17 among the best general english literature schools. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 general english literature degrees were awarded at Kenyon College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $29,962. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the general english literature program at Kenyon College

18
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #18 position for general english literature this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Elmhurst College awarded about 15 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. General English Literature graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $33,947 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full general english literature program report for Elmhurst College

19

University Of Dayton ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general english literature schools. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $30,063. Students borrow a median of $24,398 to complete this degree. See the full general english literature program report for University Of Dayton

20

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #20 for general english 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 158 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $44,055. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general english literature from Ohio State University Main Campus

21

Loyola University Chicago came in at #21 for general english literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. General English Literature graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $28,640 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full general english literature program report for Loyola University Chicago

22
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #22 spot for general english literature this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Dominican University awarded about 15 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $45,546. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236. See the full general english literature program report for Dominican University

23

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #23 among the best general english literature schools. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 25 general english literature degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $37,748 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full general english literature program report for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

24
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #24 for general english literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 52 general english literature degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. General English Literature graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $28,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,499 to complete this degree. See the full general english literature program report for Depaul University

25
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #25 spot for general english literature this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 general english literature degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. General English Literature graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general english literature from Aurora University

Rest of the Top 50 General English Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general english literature education:

26
27
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28
29
30
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
31
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
32
33
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
34
35
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
36
37
38
39
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
40
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
49
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more general english literature schools worth a look:

Narrow General English Literature Schools by State

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View All General English Literature Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 226 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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