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2027 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the The Plains States Region

54 Colleges in the United States
2,359 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$39,508 Avg Early-Career Salary

English Language & Literature is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their english language & literature programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools to find the best for english language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for English Language & Literature in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall english language & literature education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in English Language & Literature

1

Leading the list is Creighton University, our #1 school for english language & literature. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. About 83% of students finish within six years. Creighton University awarded about 18 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $64,369 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831. Get the full english language & literature details for Creighton University

2

Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 211 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $38,124 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,303 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 64 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $32,350 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553. Read more about the english language & literature program at Washington University In St Louis

4

Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #4. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 20 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

5

Concordia College At Moorhead is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Concordia College At Moorhead in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $44,611 in their early career. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates carry a median of $26,637 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Concordia College At Moorhead

6

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #6 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 103 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $30,488 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,182 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Missouri Columbia

7
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. About 26 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $29,487 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Macalester College

8

Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #8 among the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Maryville University Of Saint Louis awarded about 14 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $67,909 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,499. See the full english language & literature program report for Maryville University Of Saint Louis

9
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #9 position for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 24 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $29,398. Students borrow a median of $25,715 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at St Olaf College

10

Iowa State University placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 72 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $37,811 in their early career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Iowa State University

11

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 74 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $31,749. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

12
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University earned the #12 position for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. About 29 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Drake University

13

Fort Hays State University landed the #13 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. Fort Hays State University awarded about 84 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $49,775 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,967. Get the full english language & literature details for Fort Hays State University

14

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #14 spot for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Duluth. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $35,118. Students borrow a median of $24,191 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

15
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College came in at #15 for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 18 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Augsburg College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $59,409. Students borrow a median of $26,319 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Augsburg College

16

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #16 spot for english language & literature this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates 57% of students within six years. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 62 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates carry a median of $19,625 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

17

Kansas State University earned the #17 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kansas State University awarded about 54 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $31,364 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750. Get the full english language & literature details for Kansas State University

18
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 311 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,198. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,738 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Iowa

19

University Of North Dakota earned the #19 position for english language & literature this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 33 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $64,378 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of North Dakota

20
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College earned the #20 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 21 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Grinnell College graduates carry a median of $18,059 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Grinnell College

21

Augustana College South Dakota placed #21 among the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Augustana College South Dakota awarded about 11 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $36,247. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the english language & literature program at Augustana College South Dakota

22

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #22 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 20 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $41,870 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,274 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Northern Iowa

23

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #23 for english language & literature this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 45 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $32,054 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

24
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict placed #24 among the best english language & literature schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. About 14 english language & literature degrees were awarded at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from College Of Saint Benedict earn around $47,105 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the english language & literature program at College Of Saint Benedict

25

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #25 position for english language & literature this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 22 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $43,255 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Read more about the english language & literature program at Southeast Missouri State University

Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english language & literature education:

26
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
27
28
29
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
30
31
32
33
34
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
35
36
37
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
38
39
40
41
42
43
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
44
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO
45
46
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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