2027 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Iowa
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 best value for english language & literature in Iowa. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,274. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $41,870. Set against $24,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes Grinnell College one of the best values for english language & literature. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $18,059. English Language & Literature graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,059 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $37,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #4 place for english language & literature. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,738. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $29,198. That is a strong return on a $24,738 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Cornell College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $18,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Drake University landed the #6 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
More English Language & Literature Rankings
View All English Language & Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
