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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best English Schools in the The Plains States Region

39 Colleges in the United States
1,432 English Degrees Awarded
$40,905 Avg Early-Career Salary

English programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 162 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for English in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall english education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in English

1

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in english. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 35 english students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about the english program at Washington University In St Louis

2

A rank of #2 makes Creighton University one of the top schools for english. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Creighton University awarded about 14 english degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $64,369 in their early career. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. More information about a degree in english from Creighton University

3

Students looking for a strong english program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 103 english degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $31,258 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full english details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Students looking for a strong english program will find one at Macalester College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 english students who graduated with this degree at Macalester College in the most recent data year. English graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,147 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english from Macalester College

5

A rank of #5 makes Concordia College At Moorhead one of the top schools for english. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 17 english degrees were awarded at Concordia College At Moorhead in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from Concordia College At Moorhead earn around $44,611 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Get the full english details for Concordia College At Moorhead

6
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College placed #6 among the best english schools. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 16 english degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Typical student debt for the program is $18,059. See the full english program report for Grinnell College

7
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO

Rockhurst University earned the #7 position for english this year. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 13 english degrees were awarded at Rockhurst University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $70,849. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. See the full english program report for Rockhurst University

8

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #8 for english this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 109 english students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $30,488 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,182. More information about a degree in english from University Of Missouri Columbia

9
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 19 english students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from St Olaf College earn around $29,398 in the first couple years of their career. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $25,715 in student loans. Read more about the english program at St Olaf College

10

Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. About 15 english degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. English graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree. Get the full english details for Maryville University Of Saint Louis

11

Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. About 66% of students finish within six years. Nebraska Wesleyan University awarded about 11 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $52,199. Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. Get the full english details for Nebraska Wesleyan University

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #12 spot for english this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 66 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $31,749. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full english details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

13
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #13 among the best english schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 59 english degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. English graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $34,116 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. See the full english program report for University Of Iowa

14

Emporia State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Emporia. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 english students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Emporia State University earn around $46,440 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,131. See the full english program report for Emporia State University

15

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #15 among the best english schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 29 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $35,118. Students borrow a median of $24,191 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english from University Of Minnesota Duluth

16

Iowa State University came in at #16 for english this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 62 english degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. English graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $37,811 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Get the full english details for Iowa State University

17

Kansas State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 english students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $31,364. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750. More information about a degree in english from Kansas State University

18
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University placed #18 among the best english schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 english degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. Get the full english details for Drake University

19

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #19 position for english this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 english degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. English graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $41,870 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,274 in student loans. Read more about the english program at University Of Northern Iowa

20

Augustana College South Dakota landed the #20 spot for english this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 14 english students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $36,247. Augustana College South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full english program report for Augustana College South Dakota

21
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict landed the #21 spot for english this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. About 12 english degrees were awarded at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from College Of Saint Benedict generally make around $47,105. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in english from College Of Saint Benedict

22
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Truman State University awarded about 45 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Truman State University earn around $29,001 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,844. Read more about the english program at Truman State University

23

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 32 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,625. See the full english program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

24
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 english students who graduated with this degree at Carleton College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $20,780. Students borrow a median of $21,167 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at Carleton College

25
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University placed #25 among the best english schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 english students who graduated with this degree at Hamline University in the most recent data year. English graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $27,863 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,439 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for Hamline University

Rest of the Top 50 English Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english education:

26
27
28
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
29
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
38
39
40
41
42
43
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
44
45
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
46
47
48
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
49
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 162 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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