2026 Best Value English Schools in Missouri
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for english students.
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2026 Best Value English Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in english in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,844. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $29,001. That is a strong return on a $22,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $39,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Ozarks one of the best values for english. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Early-career english graduates make about $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,625. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. That is a strong return on a $19,625 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #5 place for english. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,054. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $43,255. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #7 spot for english value this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. English graduates carry a median of $17,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Set against $17,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #8 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $21,392. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $23,182 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $30,488 early in their careers. Set against $23,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $28,663. Early-career english graduates make about $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #11 for value in english this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. English graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. English graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Rockhurst University landed the #12 spot for english value this year. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri came in at #13 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. English graduates carry a median of $30,251 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $24,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #14 for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $67,909. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Webster University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Webster University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. English graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. English graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,546. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $33,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
