2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage tops our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools in the Great Lakes Region. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,492. English Language & Literature graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for english language & literature. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #3 place for english language & literature. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

4

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $22,520. English Language & Literature graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $29,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

5

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #5 place for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #6 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.

7

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,636. That is a strong return on a $20,017 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

8

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest placed #8 among the best values for english language & literature. 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, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,279 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $31,171 early in their careers. Set against $26,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,112 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

10

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,234 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

11

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

12

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University placed #12 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,239 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $31,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #13 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,162. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,162 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

14

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for english language & literature value 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. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $38,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

15

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #15 for value in english language & literature this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $32,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

16

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $23,508. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

17

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #17 spot for english language & literature value this year. 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $32,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $39,358. Set against $32,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #18 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $56,998. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

19

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #19 spot for english language & literature value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,430. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

20

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #20 for value in english language & literature this year. 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 language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $35,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,480 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #21 among the best values for english language & literature. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $45,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

22

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University placed #22 among the best values for english language & literature. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.

23

Indiana University East
Richmond, IN

Indiana University East ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Indiana University East generally make around $28,920. That is a strong return on a $26,991 median debt. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.

24

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #24 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & 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.

25

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #25 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $18,948 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $43,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.