by our College Data Analytics Team
[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 134 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for writing studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the writing studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in writing studies, no school beat College Of Dupage this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for writing studies. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $20,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $25,084. Set against $20,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Stark State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,169. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $31,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
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Ferris State University earned the #6 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $23,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior landed the #7 spot for writing studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,845. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,225. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #10 for value in writing studies this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $34,464. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #12 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,432 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $23,298. That is a strong return on a $30,432 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #13 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $31,016. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $15,854. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #16 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $21,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $23,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Elmhurst College placed #18 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $33,556. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in writing studies this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Writing Studies graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $38,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Wabash College came in at #20 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Wabash College generally make around $50,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wabash College admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #21 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Depauw University came in at #22 for value in writing studies this year. Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greencastle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $31,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University came in at #23 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #24 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Knox College earned the #25 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $15,466. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s writing studies value ranking:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.