2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
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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
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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%.
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.
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%.
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:
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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.
- 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.
