2027 Best Value English Schools in the The Plains States Region
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value english schools.
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2027 Best Value English Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
University Of Minnesota Morris tops our 2027 list of the best value english schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,080 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $44,479. Set against $21,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Crookston earned it the #3 place for english. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,661. Early-career english graduates make about $48,840. Set against $26,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #4 place for english. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,125. English 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Southern State University earned it the #5 place for english. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,241. English graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $39,434 early in their careers. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Truman State University earned the #6 position for value in english this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $22,844 in student loans. English 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. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #7 for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. 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 english program here. English 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. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #8 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. English graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. English graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $29,685 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,110 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Set against $17,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #10 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $28,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,500. English graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,669. Early-career english graduates make about $50,003. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University placed #13 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $25,976 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $27,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. English graduates carry a median of $24,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $41,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $24,422 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $35,419. That is a strong return on a $24,422 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $31,749. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Black Hills State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $42,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Grinnell College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,059 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Set against $18,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. English graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. English graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #20 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. English graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $21,392. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #21 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $26,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Iowa State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $37,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #23 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,191. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $35,118. That is a strong return on a $24,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kansas State University landed the #24 spot for english value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $31,364. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #25 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. English graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. English graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value English Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
