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College of the Ozarks stands out dramatically in Missouri's English Language and Literature market with a net cost of just $7,669, nearly $4,000 below the next closest option. This price advantage comes despite the school's highly selective 21.13% acceptance rate, making it a rare combination of affordability and exclusivity. Missouri Southern State University takes the opposite approach, accepting 99.48% of applicants with an $11,653 net cost. The state's English programs produce graduates earning between $17,470 and $30,771 annually, with Drury University's continuing education program leading at the high end. Missouri's growing healthcare sector, anchored by BJC HealthCare, creates opportunities for English graduates in medical writing and communications roles. The state's agricultural giants like Monsanto also need content specialists for technical documentation and marketing materials. Net costs across the 15 schools range from College of the Ozarks' strong $7,669 to William Jewell College's $16,602.
37
Programs
$7,669 – $27,075
Net Price Range
$25,818
Avg. Program Earnings
54.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

37 English Language and Literature, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
2 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
3 $12,030 $9,470 68.4% 45.1%
4 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
5 $12,484 $9,290 22.1%
6 $12,638 $9,800 39.8%
7 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
8 $13,375 $8,044 32.1%
9 $13,773 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
10 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
11 $14,774 $6,960 100.0%
12 $14,824 $10,181 57.5% 85.6%
13 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
14 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
15 $16,602 $19,890 61.6% 41.0%
16 $16,939 $38,672 42.6% 67.6%
17 $17,502 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
18 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
19 $18,154 $26,209 61.4% 73.0%
20 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
21 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
22 $19,889 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
23 $21,082 $28,320 51.2% 99.6%
24 $21,123 $26,880 44.3% 67.1%
25 $21,523 $35,235 66.0% 63.4%
26 $22,080 $29,915 50.2% 97.0%
27 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
28 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
29 $23,165 $43,420 75.6% 66.5%
30 $23,277 $28,200 46.5% 64.2%
31 $24,051 $24,326 45.7%
32 $25,477 $27,140 52.5% 97.9%
33 $25,807 $33,122 48.2% 70.9%
34 $26,047 $27,166 71.5% 87.8%
35 $26,111 $34,188 57.5% 75.3%
36 $26,196 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
37 $27,075 $53,244 79.8% 84.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of the Ozarks so affordable for English students?

College of the Ozarks charges a net price of only $7,669 while maintaining high academic standards with a 61.30% graduation rate. The school's work-study program requires students to work on campus, which helps offset costs significantly. Despite this affordability, the school accepts just 21.13% of applicants, making it one of Missouri's most selective institutions.

How do earnings compare between public and private English programs?

Drury University's continuing education program leads with $30,771 in median earnings, while College of the Ozarks graduates earn $17,470 despite the lowest costs. Public universities like University of Missouri-St Louis produce graduates earning $29,685, showing that higher-cost private schools don't always guarantee better financial outcomes. Missouri public schools generally offer strong value with earnings in the $20,000-$29,000 range.

Is Missouri Southern State University a good backup option?

Missouri Southern accepts 99.48% of applicants with a reasonable $11,653 net cost, making it highly accessible. However, the graduation rate sits at 38.30%, which suggests academic support challenges. The school works well as a safety option, but students should consider the lower completion rates when making their decision.

Does Truman State offer good value for English majors?

Truman State provides solid value with a $12,030 net cost and 68.40% graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $24,730, which falls in the middle range for Missouri schools. The 45.05% acceptance rate indicates moderate selectivity, and student debt averages $21,104, which is manageable compared to some alternatives.

Where can English graduates find work in Missouri's economy?

Missouri's healthcare sector, led by BJC HealthCare, needs medical writers and patient communications specialists. Agricultural companies like Monsanto require technical writers for research documentation and regulatory materials. Defense contractor work also provides opportunities, and the state's growing technology sector around companies like Cerner creates demand for content marketing and user experience writing roles.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.