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

[French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment for french language & literature students.
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2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the french language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
Our analysis ranked Grinnell College the best value for a degree in french language & literature in the The Plains States Region. 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. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,814 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $28,691. That is a strong return on a $17,814 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for french language & literature. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $31,622. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,748 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Set against $23,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #7 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $20,865. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $37,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #8 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $31,174. That is a strong return on a $24,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Dakota ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #10 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $23,702. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $28,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
St Olaf College earned the #11 position for value in french language & literature this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $24,830. French Language & Literature graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $32,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,830 median debt. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Macalester College earned the #12 position for value in french language & literature this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $42,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.