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2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

42 Ranked Colleges
3,442 Degrees Awarded
$10,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 54,635 people earned their degree in English language and literature, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, English language and literature graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,352 and had an average of $23,972 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 3,442 English language and literature graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,647 and $24,669 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 42 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in English language and literature. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great English language and literature programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the English language and literature program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 352 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at UMN Twin Cities

2
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 77 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $1,556 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Washington University in St Louis

3

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 90 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $9,766 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State English Language & Literature Report

4
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carleton College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Carleton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Carleton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Carleton College is $6,208 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Carleton

5
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 363 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Iowa English Language & Literature Report

6

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mizzou has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,005 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Mizzou

7

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $3,941 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMN Morris English Language & Literature Report

8
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 76 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Truman State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Truman State University is $7,208 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Truman State

9

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 94 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

10

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,843 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMN Duluth English Language & Literature Report

11
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 32 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $10,513 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UNI

12
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $9,991 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMSL English Language & Literature Report

13
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grinnell, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grinnell is $12,835 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Grinnell English Language & Literature Report

14
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 35 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,394 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at UND

15
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. St Olaf College is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 44 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St Olaf College is $11,112 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full St. Olaf English Language & Literature Report

16

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 61 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $11,692 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato English Language & Literature Report

17

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 87 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,578 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at UNOMAHA

18
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 38 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,721 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Winona State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Winona State University

19

North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 22 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,835 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus English Language & Literature Report

20

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,381 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State English Language & Literature Report

21
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Charles, Missouri, and it awarded 105 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lindenwood University is $12,948 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University English Language & Literature Report

22
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #22, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 84 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $15,666 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at University of Kansas

23
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Saint Cloud State University

24

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 43 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,724 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at University of Missouri - Kansas City

25
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,436 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kansas State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Kansas State University English Language & Literature Report

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