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 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for writing studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in writing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Minnesota Morris tops our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools in Minnesota. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $44,479. That is a strong return on a $21,080 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Normandale Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,407. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $29,026. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $54,835. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the best values for writing studies. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,260. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $26,225. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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Metropolitan State University landed the #6 spot for writing studies value this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $39,558. Set against $26,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Hamline University placed #7 among the best values for writing studies. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $27,167. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Macalester College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $29,487. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #9 position for value in writing studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.