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