Best English Language and Literature, General Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 32 colleges offering English Language and Literature, General programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,026 recent graduates. Graduates earn $30,329 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $28,969.

School choice matters significantly: University of Chicago graduates earn $30,409 while Knox College graduates earn $19,794 — a $10,615 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in IL

$30,329

IL Avg. Earnings

$28,969

National Avg.

729

Schools Nationally

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

Public Schools (11)

$31,225

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (21)

$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

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$30,409

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,291

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 4.8%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$35,416

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,896

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 7.1%

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Private

$23,807

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,373

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 59.4%

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$32,284

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,059

Graduates: 59

Acceptance: 81.4%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,267

Graduates: 97

Acceptance: 43.7%

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

$27,126

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,471

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 90.0%

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$31,616

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,739

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: 73.5%

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,309

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 45.2%

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$34,420

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,682

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 70.4%

#11

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$31,236

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,209

Graduates: 111

Acceptance: 78.5%

#12

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,316

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 84.4%

#13

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$32,051

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,604

Graduates: 78

Acceptance: 70.5%

#14

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$33,840

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,881

Graduates: 136

Acceptance: 89.0%

#15

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$26,933

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,065

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 67.8%

#16

Dominican University

River Forest, IL · Private

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

$29,141

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,932

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 67.7%

#19

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,055

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 75.0%

#20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$33,604

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,890

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 97.2%

#21

North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,272

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 58.3%

#22

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,163

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 90.4%

#23

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL · Private

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$28,236

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,630

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 85.1%

#27

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

Eureka College

Eureka, IL · Private

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

Monmouth College

Monmouth, IL · Private

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?

University of Chicago ranks #1 for English Language and Literature, General in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $30,409 within two years of graduation. There are 32 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 5% above the national average of $28,969 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 71.0%.

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 11 public and 21 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

English Language and Literature, General in Other States

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

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.