2026 Best Value Writing Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for writing studies in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #2 place for writing studies. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $38,729. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

4

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $32,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $15,598. 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.

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in writing studies this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $35,634. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.

7

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #7 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $40,280. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

8

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in writing studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $16,210 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $20,726. That is a strong return on a $16,210 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for writing studies value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

10

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.

11

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria came in at #11 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #12 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $22,676. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $26,282. That is a strong return on a $22,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

13

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #13 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $63,112. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

14

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,977. Writing Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

15

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $27,533. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

16

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #16 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

17

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #17 spot for writing studies value this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,187. Writing Studies graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $74,532 early in their careers. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

18

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,122. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

19

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $24,291. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

20

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #20 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

21

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $13,999. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,239 early in their careers. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

22

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $33,293. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

23

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #23 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $41,170 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

24

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #24 for value in writing studies this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $25,290. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

25

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine placed #25 among the best values for writing studies. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $43,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,593 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.