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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the The Plains States Region

37 Colleges in the United States
$24,216 Avg Student Debt
$58,895 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Badge [English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english language & literature education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 177 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english language & literature schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools

1

For return on investment in english language & literature, no school beat University Of Minnesota Morris this year. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Students borrow a median of $21,080 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

2
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Ozarks earned it the #2 place for english language & literature. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. English Language & Literature graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #3. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $74,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

4

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,625 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature 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. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

5
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $26,743 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $17,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Fort Hays State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $49,775. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

7

Normandale Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Missouri Southern State University came in at #8 for value in english language & literature this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature 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. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

9

Des Moines Area Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $14,956. Soon after graduation, english language & 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.

10

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. English Language & Literature 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.

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11

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,543 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $26,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,543 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

12

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #12 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,274 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $41,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,274 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

13

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

14
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College came in at #14 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $18,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. That is a strong return on a $18,059 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.

15

Saint Cloud State University placed #15 among the best values for english language & literature. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $21,482. English Language & Literature graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $28,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #16 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,303 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $38,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

17

Emporia State University earned the #17 position for value in english language & literature this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,131. English Language & Literature graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

18

University Of Central Missouri came in at #18 for value in english language & literature 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. That is a strong return on a $17,110 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

19

Wichita State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $25,976 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $27,585 early in their careers. Set against $25,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

20

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $31,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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21

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #21 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,422. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $35,679. That is a strong return on a $24,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

23

North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $25,025. Soon after graduation, english language & literature 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. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

24
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,500. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,184. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

25

Kansas State University earned the #25 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $31,364. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
33
34
35
36
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
37
38
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
39
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
40
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
41
Rockhurst University crest
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO
42
43
44
45
46
47
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA
48
49
50
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 177 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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