by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 162 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of The Ozarks, our #1 best value for english in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. English graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,844 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $29,001. Set against $22,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $19,625 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. English graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. English graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $39,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #6 among the best values for english. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #7 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $29,685. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #8 position for value in english this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $24,274 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $41,870. Set against $24,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Grinnell College earned the #9 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,059. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. That is a strong return on a $18,059 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. English graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #11 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. English graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $28,145. Set against $21,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University earned the #12 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #13 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. English graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. English graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #14 spot for english value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,110. Early-career english graduates make about $45,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #15 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $31,749. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #16 for value in english this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. English graduates carry a median of $25,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $27,585. That is a strong return on a $25,976 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #17 among the best values for english. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. English graduates carry a median of $24,422 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $35,419. That is a strong return on a $24,422 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in english this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,025. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Kansas came in at #19 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $26,184. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Kansas State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. English graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. English graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $31,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #21 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $37,811. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #22 for value in english this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $21,392 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #23 spot for english value this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,191 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $35,118 early in their careers. Set against $24,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Winona State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $53,109. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
South Dakota State University landed the #25 spot for english value this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $25,200 to complete the english program here. English graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
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This list is compiled 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 · 162 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
