2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in California

1

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for writing studies in California. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $16,210. Writing Studies graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $20,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,210 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

4

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #4. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $32,862. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

5

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #5 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #6 among the best values for writing studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $14,037. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $44,553. That is a strong return on a $14,037 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

7

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #7 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $23,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #8 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $16,417. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $41,328. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

9

Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St Marys College earned the #9 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,564. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $27,555 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $70,010. Set against $27,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands came in at #10 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,878. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,175. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $57,218. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

11

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #11 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

12

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,803. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for writing studies value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $26,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

14

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #14 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $51,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

15

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University landed the #15 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $24,027 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $33,228. Set against $24,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

16

California Institute Of The Arts
Valencia, CA

California Institute Of The Arts ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,996. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,031 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $13,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 32%.

17

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University placed #17 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $32,445. Set against $21,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

18

Dominican University Of California
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University Of California ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,161. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Dominican University Of California generally make around $70,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.