2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Missouri

[Writing Studies](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for writing studies students.
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2026 Best Value Writing Studies Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in writing studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Writing Studies Schools
University Of Missouri St Louis tops our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools in Missouri. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $25,943. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $53,079. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $16,569. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #3. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Writing Studies graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Writing Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in writing studies will find it at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #4. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the writing studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in writing studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, writing studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $47,377. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University placed #6 among the best values for writing studies. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Typical student debt for writing studies graduates is $28,663. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $48,018. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value writing studies schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the writing studies program here. Early-career writing studies graduates make about $32,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
More Writing Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.