2026 Best English Language & Literature Schools in Illinois

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best english language & literature schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 62 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & 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. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 129 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $26,132 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,162 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 77 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $44,397 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Chicago

4

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at Wheaton College Illinois, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. About 85% of students finish within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 38 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $32,723 in their early career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Wheaton College Illinois

5

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

A rank of #5 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 112 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $39,563 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. Read more about the english language & literature program at Illinois State University

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #6 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 80 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $31,066 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

7

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #7 among the best english language & literature schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $28,640. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full english language & literature details for Loyola University Chicago

8

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #8 for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $33,575 in their early career. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $23,106 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Elmhurst College

9

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University earned the #9 position for english language & literature this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dominican University awarded about 15 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $45,546 in their early career. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Dominican University

10

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 93 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Depaul University earn around $48,336 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,499. Get the full english language & literature details for Depaul University

11

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #11 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 11 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Aurora University

12

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 27 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $36,594. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Northeastern Illinois University

13

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #13 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. There were roughly 19 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from College Of Dupage

14

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College came in at #14 for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. Lake Forest College awarded about 19 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $32,982. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the english language & literature program at Lake Forest College

15

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #15 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 69 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $38,938 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Northern Illinois University

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 48 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $31,420 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Get the full english language & literature details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

17

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University earned the #17 position for english language & literature this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $31,933. Typical student debt for the program is $25,053. See the full english language & literature program report for Eastern Illinois University

18

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #18 for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Governors State University graduates 21% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Governors State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $29,580. Students borrow a median of $22,520 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Governors State University

19

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $54,513 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Bradley University

20

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #20 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $36,430 early in their careers. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Western Illinois University

21

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University came in at #21 for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Saint Xavier University awarded about 11 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $51,753 in their early career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Saint Xavier University

22

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago placed #22 among the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $37,157 in their early career. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago

23

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University landed the #23 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 13 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $50,101. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Roosevelt University

24

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago placed #24 among the best english language & literature schools. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 57 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,516 early in their careers. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Columbia College Chicago

25

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #25 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $39,358 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,574 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Illinois At Springfield