2026 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[English & Language Arts Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/english-language-arts-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for english & language arts education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english & language arts education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools
For return on investment in english & language arts education, no school beat Truman State University this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Washburn University one of the best values for english & language arts education. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in english & language arts education will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #3. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $46,824. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Valley City State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english & language arts education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $24,394. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $51,170. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english & language arts education will find it at Peru State College, which ranked #5. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $26,254. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $22,145 in student loans. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $47,121. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Minot State University placed #7 among the best values for english & language arts education. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $28,324 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot for english & language arts education value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $52,307. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Mayville State University placed #9 among the best values for english & language arts education. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,464. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $47,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #10 for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $30,795. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $43,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #11 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $21,748 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. Set against $21,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $46,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Wayne State College placed #13 among the best values for english & language arts education. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $25,957. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $42,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University placed #14 among the best values for english & language arts education. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $24,704. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $33,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Emporia State University placed #15 among the best values for english & language arts education. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $22,500. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $52,694 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #16 among the best values for english & language arts education. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $45,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #17 for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $38,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,221 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Dickinson State University came in at #18 for value in english & language arts education this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $44,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #19 among the best values for english & language arts education. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $48,109. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University came in at #20 for value in english & language arts education this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $23,389 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $45,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University earned the #21 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $26,143 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. Set against $26,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #22 for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $48,056 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Winona State University came in at #23 for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,762 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $44,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #24 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $29,008. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,551 early in their careers. Set against $29,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english & language arts education:
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
