2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for writing studies students.
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2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in writing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Writing Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in writing studies in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $26,301. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Nassau Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $11,850. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #6 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College earned the #7 position for value in writing studies this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #8 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $33,205. Set against $26,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #9 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $34,855. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego placed #10 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $28,103. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University At Buffalo came in at #11 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $16,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #13 spot for writing studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $23,258. Writing Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $36,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Sarah Lawrence College placed #14 among the best values for writing studies. Set in the suburb of Bronxville, Sarah Lawrence College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,862. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $32,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #15 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $24,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Manhattanville College landed the #16 spot for writing studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,604 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $26,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College placed #17 among the best values for writing studies. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $28,442. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Rochester ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Hobart William Smith Colleges came in at #19 for value in writing studies this year. Located in the town of Geneva, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,928 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,700. Writing Studies graduates of Hobart William Smith Colleges earn a median of $41,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,700 median debt. Hobart William Smith Colleges admits about 64% of applicants.
New York University placed #20 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $21,897. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $46,292. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Ithaca College earned the #21 position for value in writing studies this year. Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $26,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
Syracuse University came in at #22 for value in writing studies this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $24,935. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Pratt Institute Main ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the writing studies program here. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $18,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete the writing studies program here. Writing Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of $37,792 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
More Writing Studies Rankings
View All Writing Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
