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2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

42 Ranked Colleges
3,442 Degrees Awarded
$11,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 42 colleges that offered a degree in English language and literature. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality English language and literature programs that also have a lower cost than 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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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $2,446 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full WUSTL English Language & Literature Report

2

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 352 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3
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 #3 for the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 27 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

Carleton also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Carleton is $13,410 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Full Carleton English Language & Literature Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #3 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,427 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Iowa State University

5

Out of the 42 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMN Morris is $2,230 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UMN Morris

6

University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 82 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $11,386 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Mizzou

7
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,324 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

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 UMSL

8
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 363 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #2 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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 Iowa

9
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #9, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Kirksville, Missouri, and it awarded 76 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

Truman State also took 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 $8,898 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Truman State English Language & Literature Report

10

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 31 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,697 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN 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%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UMN Duluth

11

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #6 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $13,453 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNL English Language & Literature Report

12
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University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UND is $13,151 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on English Language & Literature at University of North Dakota

13
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

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 estimated yearly cost for UNI is $13,175 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UNI

14
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,138 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St Olaf College.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full St. Olaf English Language & Literature Report

15

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’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 $30-$48k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,263 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

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 University - Mankato English Language & Literature Report

16

With a ranking of #16, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNOMAHA is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 87 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

UNOMAHA also took the #24 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $11,294 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 University of Nebraska at Omaha English Language & Literature Report

17
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 105 students in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also took the #11 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,008 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Lindenwood University English Language & Literature Report

18

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University also took the #22 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $12,735 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at North Dakota State University

19
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grinnell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grinnell, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k list, Grinnell has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,671 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grinnell.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Grinnell College

20

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 131 ’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 $30-$48k list, Missouri State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri State English Language & Literature Report

21
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Winona State is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 38 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State also took the #17 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State is $12,963 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on English Language & Literature at Winona State University

22
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #22, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 32 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,825 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

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%.

Full Saint Cloud State University English Language & Literature Report

23

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,751 for plains states region english language & literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMKC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City English Language & Literature Report

24
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #24, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 84 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $16,288 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kansas.

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

Read more about English Language & Literature at University of Kansas

25
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ESU is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Emporia State University is $12,971 for Plains States Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Emporia State University

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