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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong writing studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for writing studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in writing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of Dupage, our #1 best value for writing studies in Illinois. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $24,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for writing studies. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Elmhurst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $33,556. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Knox College earned it the #5 place for writing studies. 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. Writing Studies graduates of Knox College earn a median of $15,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
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Northwestern University earned the #6 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #7 for value in writing studies this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $49,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago placed #10 among the best values for writing studies. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $54,623 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earn a median of $37,157 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.