2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in Missouri
[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for general english literature students.
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2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General English Literature Schools
Truman State University tops our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools in Missouri. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $22,844 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $29,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. 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. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $19,625 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $53,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,054 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #6 position for value in general english literature this year. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #7 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $17,110 to complete the general english literature program here. 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.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #8 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $21,392. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #9 among the best values for general english literature. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $23,182 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $30,488. Set against $23,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University placed #10 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $28,663. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $48,197. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #11 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Rockhurst University earned the #12 position for value in general english literature 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Columbia College Missouri placed #13 among the best values for general english literature. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $30,251 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $24,240. Set against $30,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #14 spot for general english literature value 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $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 general english literature schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $57,152. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,546. General English Literature graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $33,893 early in their careers. Set against $26,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.
