Most Selective Highest Earnings Best Value Free Tuition UK Universities

Best English Language and Literature, General Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 30 colleges offering English Language and Literature, General programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 983 recent graduates. Graduates earn $30,329 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $29,080.

School choice matters significantly: Illinois Wesleyan University graduates earn $42,682 while Knox College graduates earn $19,794 — a $22,888 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

30
Schools in IL
$30,329
IL Avg. Earnings
$29,080
National Avg.
651
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: English Language and Literature, General in Illinois

Public Schools (10)
$31,225
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (20)
$29,881
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for English Language and Literature, General graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

English Language and Literature, General Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

#1
I

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,309
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 45.2%
#2
N

North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,272
Graduates: 17
Acceptance: 58.3%
#3
G

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

$36,848
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#4
E

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

$35,701
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 75.7%
#5
N

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$35,416
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,896
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 7.1%
#6
N

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

$35,060
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 72.8%
#7
N

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$34,420
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,682
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 70.4%
#8
I

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$33,840
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,881
Graduates: 136
Acceptance: 89.0%
#9
S

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$33,604
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,890
Graduates: 47
Acceptance: 97.2%
#10
R

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

$33,281
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 94.3%
#11
U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$32,925
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,267
Graduates: 97
Acceptance: 43.7%
#12
M

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL · Private

$32,382
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 63.9%
#13
L

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$32,284
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,059
Graduates: 59
Acceptance: 81.4%
#14
N

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$32,051
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,604
Graduates: 78
Acceptance: 70.5%
#15
D

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$31,616
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,739
Graduates: 84
Acceptance: 73.5%
#16
U

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$31,236
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,209
Graduates: 111
Acceptance: 78.5%
#17
U

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$30,409
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,291
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 4.8%
#18
A

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

$29,141
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,932
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 67.7%
#19
A

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$28,236
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,630
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: 85.1%
#20
W

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

$27,126
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,471
Graduates: 35
Acceptance: 90.0%
#21
E

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$26,933
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,065
Graduates: 36
Acceptance: 67.8%
#22
B

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 76.7%
#23
E

Eureka College

Eureka, IL · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.5%
#24
S

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.8%
#25
U

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,316
Graduates: 22
Acceptance: 84.4%
#26
W

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,055
Graduates: 35
Acceptance: 75.0%
#27
L

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Private

$23,807
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,373
Graduates: 27
Acceptance: 59.4%
#28
O

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

$23,456
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 66.9%
#29
M

Monmouth College

Monmouth, IL · Private

$23,351
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 86.6%
#30
K

Knox College

Galesburg, IL · Private

$19,794
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 71.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for English Language and Literature, General in Illinois?
Illinois Wesleyan University ranks #1 for English Language and Literature, General in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $42,682 within two years of graduation. There are 30 schools offering English Language and Literature, General programs in the state.
How much do English Language and Literature, General graduates earn in Illinois?
English Language and Literature, General graduates in Illinois earn an average of $30,329 within two years of graduation. This is 4% above the national average of $29,080 for this major.
What is the hardest English Language and Literature, General school to get into in Illinois?
University of Chicago is the most selective English Language and Literature, General program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 4.8%. The average acceptance rate across English Language and Literature, General programs in the state is 70.0%.
Should I attend a public or private school for English Language and Literature, General in Illinois?
In Illinois, private English Language and Literature, General programs produce average earnings of $29,881 vs $31,225 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 20 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Mathematics and Computer Science $76,967 Chemical Engineering $69,173 Industrial Engineering $69,102 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $68,897 Engineering, General $67,238 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Materials Engineering $64,773
All colleges in Illinois →

English Language and Literature, General in Other States

New York California Texas Pennsylvania Massachusetts Ohio Virginia New Jersey North Carolina Georgia Minnesota Tennessee View All →

Get English Language and Literature, General Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.