by our College Data Analytics Team
[English Language & Literature](/majors/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 37 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in english language & literature, no school beat Grinnell College this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $18,059 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $38,888. Set against $18,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,274 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $41,870. That is a strong return on a $24,274 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for english language & 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. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,000. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $37,811. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,738 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,329. That is a strong return on a $24,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Luther College earned the #6 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $38,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University came in at #7 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $22,273. English Language & Literature graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.