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2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in Illinois

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,055 Avg Student Debt
$67,501 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Badge [French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong french language & literature education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for french language & literature students.

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2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in french language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value French Language & Literature Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among french language & literature schools 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $17,559. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $61,829. Set against $17,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for french language & literature. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $40,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $38,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

4

Illinois State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $49,448. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of the best values for french language & literature. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,650 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $37,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,650 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

Loyola University Chicago placed #6 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. That is a strong return on a $22,698 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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